Evening star., 1950-06-05
Truman Text on FOREIGN Aid


Here is the fert Of q state
ment issued by President Tru-
man today as he signed the
Foreign Aid Bill:
I have today signed the Foreign
Economic Assistance Act Of 1850.
This act Is q major contribution to
peace and freedom In the world.
This memorable act is tribute
to the wisdom and vigor Of the
forward looking members Of the
Congress Of both political parties.
of both Houses. and particularly
to the hard work Of the respon-
sible congressional committees.
The Foreign Economic Assist
ance Act contains within it the
authority to go forward with five
programs of foreign aid.
1t authorizes, first, continuation
Iof the European Recovery Pro-
gram for q third year.
It authorizes, second. continued
aid to the free peoples Of Korea.
Southeast Asia. and non-Com-
munist China.
It makes possible. third. o pro-
gram of relief and public works
for the Arab refugees from Pales-
tine.
Point Four Authorized.
Fourth, it provides legislative
authority for going ahead with
the program of technical assist
ance to help build up economically
underdeveloped areas. a program
which has become known as
Point Four
And. finally, it authorizes con-
tinuing support for United Ma
tions programs on behalf of chill
dren.
Each of the five programs au-
thorized in this act will contribute
to our purpose of strengthening
the cause Of freedom. through
economic measures which will
demonstrate the effectiveness of
free institutions in meeting hu-
man needs.
Taken together, they add up to
"a broad. enlightened. and typical
ly American enterprise In the
building Of safe and prosperous
world.
Four of these five programs are
already under way.
In the first two years Of the
European Recovery Program. with
our essential aid. the people Of
Europe have made great strides
in rebuilding their economies. This
has enabled them to preserve and
strengthen their free institutions,
and to deal successfully with the
threat OF communism on their
own soil. They are drawing closer
together in common purpose and
in common defense. I am con-
fldent that this third year of our
assistance will give impetus to in
creasing cooperation by these
countries. will add greatly to their
collective strength, and will bring
closer the day when they can con-
tribute on a self-sustaining basis
to the economic growth of all free
nations.
The benefits Of American sup
port to Independent Korea. non
Communist China, and certain
new countries in Southeast Asia
have been considerable. Millions
Of people in Asia have recently be-
come independent. They see in
that independence a chance to-
work for a better life. We have
supported their independence. The
economic aid authorized in this
act will give them tangible evil
dence of our continuing friend
ship and support.
Glad Of Action on Arabs.
I am especially glad that the
Congress has taken action with
respect to the problem Of the
Arab refugees from Palestine. The
program authorized in this bill
carries out the recommendations
Of the United Nations Economic
Survey Mission for the Near East,
headed by Mr.. Gordon Clapp.
This program has been drawn up
in the light of the serious prob
lens facing the Palestine refugees.
and with the economic potential
Of the Near East in mind. Sus-
cessful development in this area
will make an obvious contribu-
ton to the maintenance of peace.
To achieve this aim. we shall need
the cooperation of other mem
bers of the United Nations, who
have expressed their interest in
the problems Of the Arab world.
We shall count also, on the con-
tinued work Of private agencies.
Government programs will sup
plement, but not replace, their
work.
Many Americans have become
familiar with the magnificent
work Of the United Nations on
behalf of children whose lives
were damaged by war and its
aftermath. This act will enable