Office of the Historian

404. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant (Rostow) to President Johnson1

Washington, December 20, 1966.

Poage, Miller and Dole, whom I warned not to talk about recommendations in India, have sent via CIA channel the following message asking Freeman to be informed.

“Replying to Freeman telegram2 detailed letter will be hand delivered to Freeman Thursday morning which recommends 1.8 million tons of grain be furnished Government of India with maximum amount donated under Title II of PL 480 before December 31 or under Title II of new act3 immediately after January 1.”

  1. Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, India, India’s Food Problem, Vol. II. Secret; Eyes Only. A handwritten note on the memorandum reads, “sent to Ranch via wire CAP 661271.↩
  2. On December 19 Freeman sent a cable to New Delhi for Poage that reads: “Please cable to the President from India your preliminary report on India’s food needs and agricultural performance and your recommendations to the President regarding the need for an interim allocation of grain.” (Telegram 105400 to New Delhi; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, LEG 7 POAG)↩
  3. Reference is to the Food for Peace Act, adopted by Congress on November 11. (80 Stat. 1526)↩