258.
Letter From the Special Assistant to the Secretary of State for Mutual Security Affairs (Nolting) to the
Assistant Secretary of Defense for
International Security Affairs
(Hensel)[1]
Washington, February 4,
1955.
DEAR MR. HENSEL: I refer to your letter of December
27, 1954,[2] which states that the Joint Chiefs of Staff have recommended that
the United States comply with a Cuban request to commit the following three
additional Cuban military units for hemisphere defense by an amendment to the
secret Bilateral Military Plan with Cuba;[3] one infantry battalion; one
fighter bomber squadron; and one naval reconnaissance squadron.
In your letter of January 3, 1955 (file No. I‑9060),[2]
you outline the stringent situation with respect to the availability of MDA
funds for Fiscal Year 1955, and the difficulties which will be faced in meeting
Fiscal Year 1955 world‑wide program objectives. From a foreign policy
point of view, the Department considers it essential that, within available
funds, we meet our Fiscal Year 1955 objectives before undertaking new program
commitments. We feel that the proposed amendment to the Bilateral Military Plan
would be regarded by Cuba as a U.S. commitment to provide support to the
additional units during the present fiscal year. Unless the Department of
Defense believes that, for overriding military reasons, the secret Bilateral
Military Plan with Cuba should be amended and the necessary funds diverted from
other programs, the Department does not consider it necessary or desirable to
amend the plan at this time.
I note that in your letter of December 27, 1954 you
indicated that the funds presently reserved for El Salvador would be used to
support the Cuban infantry battalion. In my letter of January 24, 1955,[4] I
indicated that the Department of State was reviewing the need for continuing
the reservation for El Salvador. I wish to advise you that we now feel that
this reservation is no longer necessary. As you know, consideration is being
given to a military assistance program for Guatemala and it is our view that
for foreign policy reasons it is essential that we be prepared to furnish such
assistance to Guatemala. In this connection, it is our feeling that the funds
previously reserved for El Salvador should be used to finance the Guatemalan
program and thereby avoid diversion of funds from other Latin American programs
or programs in other parts of the world.
Sincerely yours,
[1] Source: Department of State, Central Files,
737.5/2‑455. Secret. Drafted by Spencer, and by George S. Newman, Office
of the Special Assistant to the Secretary for Mutual Security Affairs.
[2] Not found in Department of State files.
[3] Reference is to the Bilateral Military
Assistance Agreement between the United States and Cuba signed on March 7,
1952, and entered into force on the same date. For text, see 3 UST (pt. 2)
2901.
[4] Not found in Department of State files.
[5] Printed from a copy which bears this typed
signature.