Memorandum from Theodore Tannenwald, Jr. to Charles Murphy, with Attachments

SECRET SEGURITY INFORMATION EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 7 OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR FOR MUTUAL SECURITY DECLASSIFIED WASHINGTON 25, D. C. E.O. 12065, Sec. 3-402 State Dept. Guidelines, March 6, 1982 October 6, 1952 By Dop NLT, Date 10-21-00 HARRY S. TRUMAN LIBRARY MEMORANDUM FOR MR. CHARLES MURPHY Mr. Harriman and I talked with Mr. Fineberg on Friday, October 3, regarding his memorandum to the President on the subject of military assistance to the Middle East. We took the line that while this development might well come some time in the future, the present military and political situation in the Middle East was much too delicate to have any announcement made at this time. Fineberg made it quite clear that he realized no such announcement could come before the election. He stated that his main concern was that some action be taken along these lines before January 20 for the reason that the new President would be so occupied after January 20 that it might be several months before he might make any move in this direction. Mr. Harriman explained that whether such an announcement would be appropriate depended entirely upon developments in the Middle East within the immediate future, particularly with regard to the situation in Egypt. He made it clear to Fineberg that in his opinion no such announcement could be made until we knew that military assistance would be accepted by at least two of the nations in the Middle East. In other words, he explained to Fineberg that it would be very bad if the proposed announcement were made and Israel was the first recipient of military assistance. Fineberg indicated that he was in complete agreement with this approach. Mr. Harriman made it clear that the issue was not only one of timing but also a question as to whether under the circumstances at any particular time such an offer of military assistance was a wise course to pursue. Fineberg seemed quite satisfied with the discussion. Since, as I understand it, he plans to join the President's train on Thursday of this week, he may well mention his discussion with Mr. Harriman to the President. I, therefore, thought you should have this back ground and am also attaching the memorandum which Mr. Fineberg left with the President, and a copy of a memorandum to the President which was pre- pared for Mr. Harriman's signature but was not sent as a result of the conversation which you, George Elsey and I had. mg. Theodore Tannenwald, Jr. SEGRET SECURITY INFORMIATION