795B.5/10–750
Memorandum by the Acting Secretary of State to the President
Subject: Transportation and Logistic Support for Field Ambulance Unit Offered by Indian Government for Service in Korea
In reply to a letter outlining the political importance of the presence in Korea of a field ambulance unit offered by the Government of India, the Secretary of Defense has indicated in a letter to me dated September 27 that the Department of Defense will be prepared to furnish certain supplies and services to this unit without reimbursement. However, the policies governing the utilization in Korea of foreign offers of military assistance, which were established with your approval, require other nations participating in the military action in Korea either to reimburse the United States for logistic services or supplies furnished, or at least to agree at a later date to undertake settlement of the accounts through diplomatic negotiation. Since the Indian Government is prepared neither to make reimbursement nor [Page 891] later to undertake negotiations regarding settlement and wishes the United States to accept the field ambulance unit on its terms, the Secretary of Defense believes that necessary transportation, supplies, and other services should not be furnished to the Indian unit without your concurrence. The Secretary of Defense also suggests that if this assistance is provided, assurances should be obtained from the Government of India that these financial arrangements will be kept on a highly confidential basis in order that the principle of reimbursement or negotiated settlement may be preserved in the case of other members of the United Nations participating in Korea.
The presence of an Indian unit in Korea working with United Nations forces would be of great propaganda value in India and all other Asian countries, and the political benefits which the United States would derive from expenditures in this connection cannot be measured in terms of dollars. In view of the fact that certain Indian government leaders made the offer against considerable opposition in India, and the fact that the offer was made with the clear understanding that the Indian Government would not be in a position to furnish transportation and logistic support, it is quite possible that unless our Government provides the required assistance, the Indian Government may be compelled to withdraw their offer.
In view of the tremendous importance of our relations with South Asian nations today, and in view of the fact that our treatment of this Indian offer might well affect our relations with the Government of India, I strongly recommend that you approve this request.1
Copies of the letters under reference are attached.2