Office of the Historian

616. Memorandum From President Nixon to Secretary of State Rogers1 2

Washington, June 8, 1970
[Page 1]

SUBJECT:

  • Relief and Reconstruction Assistance for Peru

I am deeply concerned about the tragic consequences of the recent earthquake in Peru. The United States Government should do everything possible to meet the requests of the Peruvian Government for disaster relief assistance. The United States Government should also be prepared to offer its assistance for the longer-term task of reconstruction which the Peruvian Government will face.

To carry out these objectives, I am hereby making the following assignments:

1.
A Special Steering Group is to be established under the direction of Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare Robert Finch, and composed of representatives of the Department of State, Agency for International Development, Department of Defense, Department of Health, Education and Welfare, the Peace Corps, and the United States Information Agency, to coordinate U.S. Government participation in Peruvian relief efforts and to assure close liaison with the Peruvian Government. The Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs shall act as Executive Director of the Special Steering Group.
2.
Secretary Finch and the Special Steering Group, in conjunction with the Director of the Peace Corps, will coordinate and organize a program which would provide an opportunity for American citizens, particularly young Americans, to participate in relief and long-range reconstruction efforts in Peru, provided their services can be utilized and would be helpful.
3.
The Secretary of State and the Administrator of the Agency for International Development should examine immediately what steps the U.S. can take to assist in the long-range reconstruction of the affected areas in Peru. It is my intention to send a message to President Velasco within the next two weeks offering this government’s assistance in the rebuilding effort. Please provide me your recommendations on the content of such a message, to include possible consideration of:
  • —offering financial and/or technical assistance to develop a reconstruction plan for the affected areas;
  • —offering to help establish a consortium of international donors, in which we would participate, to provide financial support for a reconstruction plan.

If the measures outlined above appear to require special appropriations requests, appropriate recommendations should also be forwarded.

Richard Nixon
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 792, Country Files, Latin America, Peru, Vol. 1, Through June 1970. No classification marking. The memorandum was also addressed to the Secretary of Defense; the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare; the Administrator of AID; the Director of the Peace Corps; and the Director of USIA. Copies were sent to the Secretaries of the Treasury, Agriculture, and the Interior; the Director of the Bureau of the Budget; and the President of the Export-Import Bank. In an August 19 letter to President Velasco, Nixon did not offer U.S. assistance, but instead thanked Velasco for his hospitality during Mrs. Nixon’s visit. (Ibid., Box 760, Presidential Correspondence, Peru, President Velasco)↩
  2. In response to the May 31 earthquake that resulted in catastrophic consequences for Lima and its surrounding region, President Nixon issued this memorandum outlining his plans for U.S. aid to be sent to Peru, as well as his ideas for longer-term reconstruction relief.↩