April 19, 1949
CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
1. United Nations Votes on Spain
I discussed this matter with the President. His wishes are that the Delegation should vote in favor of Spanish participation in the specialized agencies of the UN.
When it came to the question of the return of Ambassadors to Spain, the President was very clear that he did not wish us to vote in favor of it. It will be agreeable to him to have the Delegation abstain.
DA:be
April 19, 1949
CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
2. Appointment of an Ambassador to Denmark
I mentioned this matter to the President along the lines which had been discussed between the Under Secretary, Mr. Peurifoy and myself. The President was most appreciative of our bringing the matter to his attention and said that he would like to consider it for a time before reaching any conclusion.
This matter, therefore, should be held in abeyance until we hear further from the President.
DA:be
April 19, 1949
CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
3. Military Assistance Program
I went over with the President the cuts in the program suggested by the Director of the Budget, pointing out to the President the serious consequences which would follow from making any cuts in the Middle Eastern programs; that is, those for Greece, Turkey, and Iran; also drawing his attention to the fact that the Korean program was based upon the NSC recommendation which he had approved and that a cut in the Philippine program might raise serious consequences there. The President inquired whether the Korean and Philippine programs together could be done for $10,000,000. I was not prepared to answer this question and said that I would look into the matter further.
In regard to $200,000,000 for supplying materials to the Western Union nations for their own manufacturing programs, the President recognized the importance of this item, but wished to consider whether it was necessary in this bill.
In conclusion, the President said that, while he wished to reduce the amount and might have to decide against us, he was thoroughly sympathetic with the country programs and wished us to put up as strong a fight as we thought necessary, leaving the decisions to him. He is to have a further discussion with the Director of the Budget and possibly with me tomorrow and reach a final decision.
DA:be
April 19, 1949
CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT
4. Visit of the Mexican Ambassador and Senator Bermudez
I raised this question with the President. He expressed the desire that I should see Senator Bermudez, and say that the matters which he had raised required considerable consideration; that we would take a sympathetic attitude toward them, but suggest that it was not necessary for him to stay in Washington until the final decision.
DA:be