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CONSIDERATION OF PROJECTED ORGANIZATION AND
   OPERATIONS OF THE UNITED NATIONS RELIEF AND
   REHABILITATION ADMINISTRATION
840.50/2875
The British Minister of State (Law) to the Assistant Secretary of
                        State (A cheson)
                                   WASHINGTON, 5 October, 1943.
  DEAR MR. AGHEsoN: I enclose a copy of the memorandum on the
"Scope and Operations of UNRRA" which we discussed on Satur-
day 1 in Governor Lehman's 2 room and which has since been revised
in the light of the discussion. It seems to me that we reached almost
complete agreement on that occasion. You will remember that the
point on which the Governor laid most stress was the necessity of
UNRRA having the power to veto or reduce demands put in by
liberated territories, whether or not they could pay. We entirely
agree that, subject to overriding military necessity, this is a necessary
power if UNRRA is to be able to see that supplies are fairly dis-
tributed between the various liberated territories. I think our agree-
ment on this point is made clear in the revisions made in the memo-
randum.
  There is, however, one point of importance on which I do not think
all those present last Saturday reached agreement. This point con-
cerned the best mechanism through which to handle the requirements
of those Governments which have funds and are anxious on restor-
ation to full sovereignty to assert their position in the world. I think
we are all agreed that our aim must be to meet the susceptibilities of
these Governments so far as we can, while retaining that control over
the allocation of resources which we must preserve for war purposes,
but at the same time to maintain the authority of UNRRA to veto or
cut down the demands of these countries, should this be necessary to
promote a fairer distribution. In my view we shall be most likely
to retain the co-operation of such Governments if we are prepared to
admit them to direct consultation with the authorities controlling the
supplies. I have little doubt that it will be the aim of such Govern-
' October 2.
'Herbert H. Lehman, Director of Office of Foreign Relief and Rehabilitation
Operations, Department of State.
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