867.00/9–347: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Turkey

confidential

514. Present status aid program as follows:

1.
War and Navy have both approved July 15 report. We have informed them of this Dept’s general approval and asked War and Navy to make firm recommendations to implement program.
2.
Navy has now made firm recommendation embodying slight revision due to nonavailability certain items. State has approved revised program for Navy and is allocating Navy to cover whole revised program $14,012,500 exclusive of five percent contingency reserve being withheld for each program (see Patsu 4 and Ustap 21). This sum includes $304,000 previously allocated for interim program.
3.
We expect firm recommendation from War by end Sept and upon approval by State will allocate funds for Army’s revised program.
4.
Memo of understanding has been agreed to by State, Navy, War and Air Force. Copy being air mailed.
5.
Question of unified command (Ustap 42) now before Secretary Defense with approval anticipated.

Lovett
  1. Dated August 14 and 16, respectively, neither printed.
  2. Dated August 21, not printed.