426. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, May 19, 19551
SUBJECT
- Increased Military Grant Aid Assistance to Colombia
PARTICIPANTS
- Ambassador Eduardo Zuleta-Angel of Colombia
- Assistant Secretary Holland
- OSA—Mr. Atwood
Following brief introductory remarks, Mr. Holland brought up the request made by Colombia for increased grant military aid. He explained fully to the Ambassador the lengthy discussions which had been held with the Department of Defense regarding Colombia’s request and regarding the overall military program in this hemisphere. Mr. Holland explained that on three separate occasions the conclusion had been reached that it would be impossible at this time to increase military grant assistance to Colombia. He reminded the Ambassador that the Defense Department considered the alliance [agreement?] made to turn over the equipment to the Colombia–Korea battalion as an increase in grant aid. Mr. Holland added that of course this was not the last time that military grant aid assistance to Latin America would be discussed and that he did not feel that the door was completely closed and locked for the future. He did feel, however, that in the light of the extremely careful analyses that had been made regarding the possibility of additional aid to Colombia that it would not be productive to initiate any further discussions at this time. The Ambassador was visibly disappointed but seemed to recognize and appreciate the situation as described by Mr. Holland.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.5–MSP/5–1955. Secret. Drafted by Atwood.↩