784A.5 MSP/4–1952
No. 421
The Secretary of Defense (Lovett) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: Reference is made to Mr. James E. Webb’s letter, dated 11 February 1952, regarding the desirability of declaring the Government of Israel eligible for arms assistance on a reimbursable basis under Section 408(e) of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act of 1949, as amended. This letter requested the concurrence of the Department of Defense in a joint recommendation to this effect to the Director for Mutual Security.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have concluded and I concur that Israel’s ability to defend itself and to participate in the defense of the area of which it is a part is important to the security of the United States. Accordingly, from the military point of view, concurrence is hereby given in a joint recommendation by the Departments of State and Defense, to the Director for Mutual Security, that Israel be declared eligible for reimbursable aid under Section 408(e)(1)(C) of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act of 1949, as amended.
It is to be noted that the delivery of end-items to countries such as Israel is becoming increasingly difficult. The requirements of the conflict in Korea; the President’s letter of 9 January 1952, which directed increased deliveries of end-items to NATO forces; the recent increased commitments to other high-priority countries (e.g., Indochina); all have had the cumulative effect of greatly reducing the immediate availability of most competitive end-items. Any military [Page 916] equipment furnished Israel should consist of non-competitive items under existing priorities and which do not interfere with current United States or Mutual Defense Assistance Programs.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff point out that, in the negotiations incident to granting reimbursable aid, the governments of the Near East countries should be made to understand clearly that, under existing availabilities and priorities, little or no modern equipment will be readily available and should such be desired the probable future delivery time from points in the United States would be from 18 to 24 months.
Sincerely yours,