THE WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79-00957A000100010014-3
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 24, 2005
• Sequence Number: 14
• Publication Date: December 30, 1974
• Content Type: PREL

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FOR IiViM DoIA LEASE DECEMBER 30, 1974
Office of the White House Press Secretary
(Vail, Colorado)
THE WHITE HOUSE
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
I have signed S. 3394, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1974, with some
reservations, but with appreciation for the spirit of constructive compromise
which motivated the Congress.
I sought a bill which would serve the interests of the United States in an in-
creasingly interdependent world in which the strength and vitality of our
own policies and society require -purposeful and responsible participation
in the international community. Foreign assistance is indispensible in
exercising the role of leadership in the cooperative and peaceful resolution
of conflicts, in pursuing political stability and economic progress, and in.
expressing the American spirit o?? helping those less fortunate than we are.
In most respects, the Foreign A-ssistance Act of 1974 will serve those ends.
It includes, however, several restrictions that may pose severe problems to
our interests. I must bring them to the attention of the Congress as matters
which will be of continuing concern and which may require our, joint efforts
to remedy if circumstances require.
First are the numerous and detailed limitations on assistance to Indochina.
The economic and military assistance levels for Cambodia, particularly,
are clearly inadequate to meet minimum basic needs, Our support is vital
to help effect an early end to the fighting and a negotiated settlement. This
is also the objective of the United Nations General Assembly which approved
a Resolution calling for a negotiated settlement. I intend to discuss this
critical issue with the Congressional leadership at the earliest possible time.
In South Vietnam, we have consistently sought to assure the right of the
Vietnamese people: to determine their own futures free from enemy inter-
ference. It would be tragic indeed if we endangered, or even lost, the
progress we have achieved by failing to provide the relatively modest but
crucial aid which is so badly needed there. Our objective is to help South
Vietnam to develop a viable, self-sufficient economy and the climate of
security which will make that development possible. To this end, the
economic aid requested represented the amount needed to support crucial
capital development and agricultural productivity efforts. The lower amount
finally approved makes less likely the achievement of our objectives and will
significantly prolong the period needed for essential development.
I appreciate the spirit of compromise which motivated the Congress to
extend to February 5, 1975, the period during which military assistance to
Turkey may continue under specified circumstances. I regret, however,
that the restriction was imposed at all. Turkey rexm..ins a key element of
U. S. security and-political interests in the eastern Mediterranean. The
threat of cut-off of aid, even if unfulfilled, cannot fail to have a damaging
effect on our relations with one of our staunch NATO: allies whose geographic
position is of great strategic importance. This, in to -n, could have a
detrimental effect on our efforts to help achieve a negotiated solution of the
Cyprus problem.
I regret the action of the Congress in cutting off the modest program of
military assistance to Chile. Although I share the concern of the Congress
for the protection of human rights and look forward to continuing con--
sultation with the Chilean Government on this matter, I do not regard this
measure as an effective means for promoting that interest.
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Finally, the Congress has directed that during the current fiscal year no more
than 30 percent of concessional food aid should be allocated to countries
which are not among those most seriously affected by food shortages --
unless the President demonstrates that such food is required solely for
humanitarian purposes. I understand and share the spirit of humanitarianism
that prompted a statement of congressional policy on this subject. But that
policy could unduly bind the flexibility of the United States in an arbitrary
way in meeting the needs of friendly countries and in pursuing our various
interests abroad.
As with other differences which the Congress and the Executive Branch worked
out in consideration of this bill, I look forward to working with the 94th
Congress in meeting and solving the problems that are still before us.
We share the common goal of best serving the interests of the people of
the United States. Working together, we shall continue to serve them
responsibly.
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