Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

431. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Holland) to the Secretary of State ¹

Washington , June 2, 1955 .

SUBJECT

• Additional Grant Military Aid to Colombia

Discussion:

The Colombian Government has for some time been pressing for an increase in the amount of military grant aid from the United States. Colombia has received or is receiving training and equipment for an anti-aircraft battalion, four naval vessels, two air squadrons, and an infantry battalion. We have taken the position that a decision to provide Colombia with additional grant assistance should depend in the first instance upon a determination by the Defense Department that this is warranted in a military sense. We have emphasized, however, that due consideration be given to Colombian participation in the Korean hostilities. In response to our queries, the Defense Department, on two separate occasions, in communications signed by Admiral Davis, Deputy Assistant Secretary, has indicated that there is no Western Hemisphere defense requirement for additional forces from Colombia. In view of this conclusive position, we informed the Colombian Ambassador that present planning does not contemplate additional grant military aid to Colombia.

Advised of this decision, the Colombians have approached Dr. Milton Eisenhower, Ambassador Lodge, Mr. Nelson Rockefeller, Admiral Carney and others, in an apparent effort to force reconsideration on political grounds. In the approach which was the subject of Ambassador Lodge’s letter to you (Tab B)² the fact that a considerable amount of grant aid has been given to Colombia was ignored. It is my view that the Colombians should not be permitted to conclude that they can obtain from approaches outside the Department what they cannot obtain from normal procedures.

It is also my view, however, that much of the difficulty with Colombia stems from a much bigger problem: the generally unsatisfactory nature of Defense Department attention to the problems of our military relationship with Latin America. At the heart of this problem lies the question of the extent to which Latin American military cooperation is able to make a military contribution in the national security interest of this Government or the extent to which such capability can be developed. A memorandum setting forth details of this problem and suggested course of action is in preparation for your consideration.

Recommendations:

(1) That you authorize me to suggest to those whom the Colombians have approached that they indicate their interest in receiving the views of Colombia, and that the information has been referred to the Department of State.

(2) That you authorize me to advise the Colombian Ambassador that we have received the reports sent us by the various persons he interviewed; that the information he supplied will be fully considered, and that, as was previously indicated to him, we are following closely the possibility that the Department of Defense may determine to make a complete review of military aid to Latin America.

(3) That Ambassador Bonsal see the President of Colombia and confirm directly to him the position stated to Ambassador Zuleta.³

(4) That you sign the attached letter to Ambassador Lodge (Tab A).⁴

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.5–MSP/6–255. Secret. Drafted by Jamison; transmitted through the Executive Secretariat; and initialed by William B. Macomber, Jr., the Secretary’s Special Assistant.
2. Not found with the source text. (Ibid., 721.5–MSP/5–2555)
3. Handwritten notations beside paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 indicate that the recommendations were carried out.
4. Not found with the source text; it is printed infra .