250. Memorandum From the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy) and Robert W. Komer of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
Food for the UAR. Rusk’s new package2 seems to meet the criteria you gave him at the ranch.3 In fact, it is tough enough that Nasser may insist on arguing about it, even though our Embassy says he’s by now almost desperate enough to grasp at any straw.
It is also tough enough (far less than the UAR asked, or than we’ve previously given) to be politically defensible here. If it works, we can point to the lower quantities, tougher terms, dollar returns, and rice for Vietnam.
Since State/AID now seem to be talking the right tune, we recommend you go ahead. It’s possible to design an even tougher package (e.g. six months’ instead of a year) but doubt that we could hang on it such conditions as free rice for Vietnam.4
McGB.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, United Arab Republic, Vol. IV. Secret. Received at the LBJ Ranch on November 9 at 5 p.m.↩
- An attached memorandum of November 8 from Rusk to the President recommended a P.L. 480 package totaling $109.5 million for the UAR.↩
- See Document 247.↩
- Johnson wrote at the bottom of the memorandum: “I want to talk to Rusk & Bundy about this Thursday. L.” Thursday was November 11.↩