430. Memorandum From Michael V. Forrestal of the National Security Council Staff to President Kennedy0
Free World Assistance to Laos
Attached is London’s 1756 to the Department1 stating that the British have agreed to make available $3 million per year to Laos for essential imports.
As you know, it has taken some difficult bargaining to wring even this small amount out of the British; and it represents a concession in principle on their part, since $3 million is all they had budgeted for political aid throughout the world excluding the Commonwealth area. The French have agreed to put up approximately $4 million in francs and an equivalent amount in French services.
Although neither amount is large, they do, I think, represent a political commitment to stick with us in Laos.