The Department refers to the Embassy’s telegram No. 431 of June 17,
1955,2 which suggested that the Embassy be provided
as soon as possible with a concise written statement, which might be
delivered to the Colombian President or Foreign Minister, setting forth
the U.S. position with regard to Colombia’s request for additional grant
assistance under the bilateral military assistance agreement between the
U.S. and Colombia. The Department’s interim reply (telegram No. 322 of
June 27, 1955)3 indicated that the
preparation of a written statement for submission to Colombia was being
deferred until the Defense Department had reviewed the question of
whether the provision of additional grant military assistance to
Colombia would be in the U.S. military interest.
The Department of Defense has indicated that the attached statement
reflects the views of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff with regard to the
provision of additional grant assistance to Colombia. The Embassy is
authorized, in its discretion, to transmit this statement to the
Colombian President or Foreign Minister.
Enclosure
I have the honor to communicate to your Excellency the desire of my
Government that I discuss with you, in the context of the
information provided below, the request of the Government of
Colombia for additional grant military assistance, and also, that I
review with you the progress which both of our Governments have made
to date in fulfillment of the objectives set forth in the Military
Assistance Agreement between Colombia and the United States.
[Page 883]
The Mutual Security Program being carried out by the Government of
the United States in collaboration with other free nations is
worldwide in its perspective. It has the global objective of
developing the defensive strength of the free world, and especially
as a matter of first priority, developing the defense capabilities
of those free nations located on the perimeter of the Soviet orbit
which are directly and continuously exposed to the threat of Soviet
military aggression. In view of the worldwide objectives of this
program, the defense needs and problems of the United States and
individual nations in the free world must be considered from a
global or broad regional standpoint.
Taking into account the widespread foreign commitments of the United
States and the exceedingly large outlay of U.S. funds required
annually to meet such commitments and to improve the defense
capabilities of U.S. armed forces, it has been necessary to adjust
the Latin American program to: (1) the availability of U.S. funds;
(2) the specific military capabilities of individual American
Republics for making a military contribution of the type envisaged
by the planning of the Inter-American Defense Board; and (3) the
requirements of collective hemisphere defense. Obviously, it would
be impracticable and impossible for equal military assistance to be
granted within these general criteria to every country participating
in the program.
With respect to the program of mutual assistance now being carried
out by the Governments of Colombia and the United States, it was
mutually agreed, in the bilateral Military Assistance Agreement and
the secret military plan signed at Bogota on April 17, 1952, that
Colombia would develop and maintain the following military units for
designated collective hemisphere defense missions and that grant
assistance made available by the U.S. would be provided exclusively
for such units: Army: 1 AAA (AW) Battalion; Navy: 2 Destroyers; 2
Patrol Craft; Air Force: 1 Fighter Bomber Squadron (UE 25 A/C); 1
Light Bomber Squadron (UE 16 A/C).
In a subsequent amendment to the secret military plan, it was
mutually agreed that the Colombian infantry battalion which had
participated in the United Nations action in Korea should be
included among those units designated and maintained by Colombia for
the performance of hemisphere defense missions under the terms of
the bilateral agreement. The Government of the United States agreed
that this battalion, which had served with valor and distinction in
Korea, should retain the U.S. military equipment in its possession
without reimbursement by Colombia.
Since April 17, 1952, the date on which the bilateral agreement
entered into force, the U.S. has delivered 83 percent of the basic
equipment considered necessary for the operation of the units
specified
[Page 884]
above, and in
addition, has provided training in the use of [and] maintenance of
such equipment. Colombia’s program of grant assistance is one of the
largest in financial value of the American Republics.
Considerable additional effort will be required at the military
level, if the Colombian units now designated for hemisphere defense
are to attain the level of efficiency and capability required for
the effective performance of the agreed missions. The attainment of
this objective will require effective Colombian utilization of U.S.
assistance provided. However, the provision of additional U.S.
training and equipment for the Colombian forces committed to
hemispheric defense will be subject to Congressional action, and the
attitude of Congress with respect to future aid, in view of the
existing U.S. commitments worldwide (i.e., Formosa, Korea,
Indochina, etc.).
The United States Government regrets that it is unable to furnish the
Colombian Government with the grant assistance desired for the
development of additional hemisphere defense units. In view of
widespread U.S. commitments to provide military assistance and
limited U.S. funds, it has been necessary for the United States
Government, in reaching this decision, to weigh the strategic
military considerations bearing on the Colombian request against
strategic military considerations of a global nature. While a
substantial change in the world situation may in the future require
that adjustments be made, for strategic military reasons, in the
programs now being conducted in a number of countries throughout the
world, the Government of the United States cannot, under present
conditions comply with the request of the Colombian Government.
