768.5–MAP/11–350: Circular telegram
The Secretary of State to Certain Diplomatic Offices 1
Tomap 114. Dept at present attempting carry out urgent interim food aid program for Yugo. In order make shipments necessary to meet urgent Yugo needs which cannot await action by Congress it has been found necessary to consider all possible sources funds, including MDAP. Since MDAP law requires consultation with other NAT govts prior to use of MDAP funds for Yugo, Dept desires earliest possible indication views these govts. Accordingly you shld approach FonOff in fol gen sense leaving aide-mémoire:
[Page 1495]US Govt for past few weeks has been gravely concerned over possible consequences of severe drought in Yugo and has decided to provide assistance to Yugo in mtg critical food shortage which has arisen. This decision has been taken by US Govt both for purpose of preventing famine and for important strategic and security considerations. We believe that (blank) Govt will concur in our view that Yugo’s ability to continue as an independent nation, strongly opposing Sov attempts to overthrow the present govt and establish a subservient regime in that country, is of greatest importance for security of Western Europe and of whole North Atlantic area. On these gen grounds US has, along with other North Atlantic nations, followed for some time a policy of providing econ support to Yugo in order enable that country maintain its independence and withstand the pressures which have been exerted upon it by USSR and its satellites. The present drought carries with it the threat of polit instability and possible weakening of capacity of Yugo nation to hold firm against outside pressures. It places in jeopardy the objectives referred to above and therefore, in US view, has created an extraordinary situation requiring additional aid from the West. In these circumstances US Govt has taken the decision to make available to Yugo food on a grant basis. US Govt wld be interested in knowing whether (blank) Govt feels able make a contribution of its own to meet this problem affecting interests of all NAT nations.
US Govt has found it necessary look to all possible sources funds to meet urgent Yugo needs for food.
Among the measures being considered is the supply of assistance in aid of food requirements of armed forces of Yugo, under auth MDAA of 1949, as amended. Pursuant to terms sec 408(c) that Act, which reads as follows:
“408(c). Whenever he determines that such action is essential for the effective carrying out of the purposes of this Act, the Pres may from time to time utilize not to exceed in the aggregate 10 per centum of the funds and contract auth made available for the purposes of any title of this Act for the purposes of any other title, or in the event of a development seriously affecting the security of the North Atlantic area for the purpose of providing mil assistance to any other European nation whose strategic location makes it of direct importance to the defense of the North Atlantic area and whose immed increased ability to defend itself, the Pres, after consultation with the govts of the other nations which are members of the North Atlantic Treaty, finds contributes to the preservation of the peace and security of the North Atlantic area and is vital to the security of the United States. Whenever the Pres makes any such determination he shall forthwith notify the Comite on Fon Relations of the Senate, the Comites on Armed Services of the Senate and of the House of Reps, and the Comite on Fon Affairs of the House of Reps.”
I am instructed by Pres US to ask views Govt of (blank) whether the immed increased ability of Yugo to defend itself will contribute to preservation of peace and security of North Atlantic area, keeping in mind direct importance to defense North Atlantic area of strategic location of Yugo, and serious effect on security North Atlantic [Page 1496] area resulting from drought in Yugo because of its consequent effect on ability Yugo Govt supply food requirements of its armed forces. End of aide-mémoire.
Since govts (except Canada and Iceland) may be concerned over effect on MDA programs for them, if and when, in your judgment it becomes appropriate, you may advise Govt of (blank) that while funds used will be portion of those appropriated to carry out purposes MDAA, this fact will not appreciably affect rate of deliveries or quantities material provided under MDAP, since total outlay from MDAP funds is roughly estimated be $16 million.
Dept emphasizes extreme urgency getting FonOff reply earliest possible moment question in para 4 even though reply problem raised para 2 may take longer.
- This telegram was sent to the Embassies in London, Paris, Rome, The Hague, Ottawa, Oslo, Copenhagen, Brussels (also for Luxembourg), Lisbon, and Reykjavik and was repeated to the Embassy in Belgrade for information.↩