LETTER TO RONALD REAGAN FROM JESSE HELMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90B01390R000300360021-5
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 20, 2011
• Sequence Number: 21
• Publication Date: March 5, 1986
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2011/01/20: CIA-RDP90B01390R000300360021-5
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March 5, 1986
Honorable Ronald Reagan
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
Executive Registry
We urge your appointment of Ambassador Sill Middendorf as
President of the World Bank. Because of the international debt
crises, the importance of our relations with the Third World, the
central role to be played by the bank in the Baker Initiative
concerning debt currency alignments, and the high priority of
economic growth in the less developed nations, we think that
Bill's appointment is vitally important.
Few have Ambassador Middendorf's financial experience which
includes serving as the CEO of a multi-state bank, owner of an
insurance investment group and an investment bank that dealt with
third world businesses. In addition, he has a longstanding
record of service to his nation as Secretary of the Navy,
Ambassador of the Hague, Ambassador to the Organization of
American States, as well as Ambassador to the European Community.
Ambassador Middendorf has an impeccable history of loyal
service to you and your Administration. In 1980, he served as
Finance Chairman of the Reagan Campaign; in 1981, he was
Treasurer of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, and later
served as the head of the Intelligence Transition Team. In
addition to his duties in Brussels, he is currently the Chairman
of the Presidential Task Force for Economic Justice, which
extends your philosophy of private initiative to a vexing
problem.
r-mbassador Middendorf is genuinely committed to utilizing
the resources of the World Bank to encourage private
entrepreneurial, non-governmental development. He has written
extensively of the need for the World Bank and other
international economic institutions to adhere to the fundamental
principle that private enterprise creates more lasting economic
progress than government directed development projects.
Approved For Release 2011/01/20: CIA-RDP90B01390R000300360021-5
 Approved For Release 2011/01/20: CIA-RDP90B01390R000300360021-5
Honorable Ronald Reagan
March 5, 1986
Page 2
The World Bank is an organization that can be of great aid
to the United States and all free nations, but it has not been
utilized to its fullest potential in promoting worldwide free
enterprise and economic growth.
The future of the World Bank and the U.S. participation
therein would best be served by the appointment of someone who
understands the essential need for a reordering of its priorities
in a way that creates real, lasting, private sector opportunities
in developing countries. Ambassador Middendorf meets this need.
We urge you put his considerable knowledge and skill to work for
the World Bank.
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Approved For Release 2011/01/20: CIA-RDP90B01390R000300360021-5