HUNGARIAN CROP SHORTAGE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-01065A000600080007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 8, 1999
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: May 11, 1953
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Releas 000/09/V
P80-01065A OO600080007-7
Soff
Se` rity Information
SUBJECT: Hungarian Crop Shortage
11 May 1953
1. Reference is made to the proposal to distribute American food
parcels to needy Hungarians through the International Red Cross. SR
Division. recommends that such parcels be sent, in quantities and under
conditions which seem appropriate to the American Minister to Hungary.
It is understood, of course, that the Minister's recommendations will be
reviewed for feasibility and in the light of information available from
other sources.
2. The parcels should be sent because:
a. Such relief is consistent with the American moral posi-
tion of helping people in need, be they friends, neutrals, or
foes. Dispatch of relief parcels to Hungary would not be
dissimilar from the massive supply of aid to defeated Germany,
only two months after the conclusion of bitter hostilities.
b. Sending such parcels would implement the American
policy of distinguishing between people who live under
Communist regimes and the regimes themselves.
c. The receipt of such parcels by Hungarian citizens would
symbolize to them the life of kindness and material bounty
that will accrue to them once they are free,
d. Sending such parcels is an act that will shine like any
"good deed through a naughty world."
3. The objection to the proposal that the Hungarian crop failure has
not been sufficiently severe to justify American aid is not relevant. It
is well known that material conditions, under Communist rule, are extremely
poor and that, even without crop failures, people living under Communism
are in need of aid.
4. The fact that the Hungarian Government may accuse the United States
of having poisoned these food parcels should not serve as a deterrent. If
it is true that there is wide spread Hungarian opposition to their regime,
then the Hungarians will not be much impressed by the cry of "poison." In
any case, Hungarians who receive the parcels will know better. Possible
Hungarian Communist attempts either to declare the parcels poisoned or
actually to poison them can be forestalled by American declarations, at the
appropriate time, that the United States has advance knowledge of such
Communist intent.
5. The objection that non-Communist countries will disapprove of the
sending of parcels is no good ground for abandoning the scheme. The great
Approved For Release 2000~iE6~TDP80-01065A000600080007-7
51rity Information
 Approved For Releass'"1000/09 CEI- 'DP80-01065A 0600080007-7
Security fnformittnn
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majority of non-Communist countries have been offered and have received
substantial American aid. The small contribution to Hungary will not
materially divert American aid from the Allies. Any Allies who protest
will have a weak, uncharitable case which U.S. information media can
easily knock down. On the other hand, it seems much more likely that
neutralist countries, who complain about American aggressiveness, will be
favorably impressed by so pacific an American gesture.
25X1A
SECRET
Security lnforma
Approved For Release 2000/09/01 : CIA-RDP80-01065A000600080007-7
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i .S 1950
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