The House of Representatives today passed a compromise $2.7 billion foreign assistance authorization bill after extracting a pledge from Secretary of State Dean Rusk to “review” aid programs to nations like the Arab states that buy heavy military equipment abroad. The hotly-contested measure was approved by a vote of 205 to 187.
The arguments against aiding nations that use their own resources for military preparations through purchases abroad of sophisticated arms pertained mainly to Latin America. But the Arab states were mentioned during the discussions. In an effort to rescue the bill, Mr. Rusk wrote Chairman Thomas E. Morgan, of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pledging a review of aid to nations buying heavy arms abroad. The Secretary of State said he would take “very seriously” language in the bill which directs the President to review the aid programs for countries diverting resources needed for development to the purchase of “unnecessary” military supplies.
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