751.5 MSP/7–2452: Telegram
No. 532
The Secretary of
State to the Embassy in
France1
priority
niact
451. Subject: Pleven OSP Proposals. Agree it desirable to come to final conclusion on May 6 Pleven proposals as soon as possible and wld answer along foll lines suggested by you in telecon:
Sharp curtailment by Congress of funds requested for milit assistance in FY 53 makes it imperative to apply limited funds finally made available to most essential needs as those needs were explained to Congress. Funds granted by Congress for offshore procurement were on basis of our request for first application to procurement of ammunition spare parts and similar items to help fill present NATO needs. Other than $86 million aircraft and $99.8 million ammo we cannot at present accept any commitments on balance of May 6 request. US response to Pleven May 6 proposal does not preclude additional procurement of certain ammunition acceptable as to types, standards, prices and delivery schedules. US also ready to proceed with spare parts procurement. Also in firming [Page 1233] up FY 53 end item program items to be furnished by US may be procured through French manufacture if adequate facilities and acceptable prices can be established.
- Drafted by Wendt and Kranich and cleared with Wolf, Perkins, Martin, Halaby of the Department of Defense, and Arth of DMS.↩