505. Editorial Note
In a meeting with Ambassador Jones on September 18, 1968, President Belaúnde requested U.S. assistance for five transportation projects. Belaúnde expected that the United States would support the projects “as evidence of its appreciation of government’s courage in finally resolving this explosive problem [IPC case] and as a token of its support for government’s fiscal policies and democratic constitutional character.” (Telegram 7386 from Lima, September 18; National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, POL 2 PERU) While citing several factors that would delay approval of the request, the Department indicated that “in light of strong GOP self-help program we have positive attitude.” (Telegram 245358 to Lima, September 26; ibid., AID(US) 9 PERU) In a September 21 letter to Director of the Office of Ecuadorean-Peruvian Affairs William P. Stedman, Jr., Jones made a personal appeal for swift action: “I cannot overemphasize the urgency of a favorable response to the Belaunde Administration in what is perhaps the most precarious period of his entire six years.” (Johnson Library, Papers of John Wesley Jones, Classified [Correspondence]) Stedman replied by describing the bureaucratic difficulties involved in processing the loans: “The memorandum to get Peru off the Symington black list has been approved by Mr. Gaud and the White House has been notified. That opens up the way for the PL 480 for rice for which a memorandum approved by Secretary Freeman and Mr. Gaud was sent last week to the Bureau of the Budget for transmittal to the President. We ought to have word soon.” Stedman insisted, however, that the Department fully appreciated “the urgency of getting the rice and the loans.” (Letter from Stedman to Jones, September 30; ibid.)