692 Foreign Relations, 1958-1960, Volume IX



    He said that almost half the documents in question had been re-
turned to the German Government and that the rather complex process-
ing would be completed and all records returned by 1963.
    The discussion ended at 4:25.






261. Letter From President Eisenhower to Chancellor Adenauer


                                      Washington, October 7, 1960.

    DEAR MR. CHANCELLOR: I am writing to you on a personal and con-
fidential basis not only as my good friend of long standing but also as
the leader of a nation whose economic and financial power has grown to
great dimensions in the community of the free nations. With that power
has come an equal responsibility for the success of free nations and our
free economies in a critical and rapidly evolving era of the world's his-
tory. Upon us both rest great responsibilities that, I think, our two gov-
ernments should consider together.
    In the financial and economic sphere, no less than in the political
and strategic sphere, mutual understanding and cooperation between
Europe and the United States are vital.
    In the United States, we recognized this when in 1948, we estab-
lished the Marshall Plan. Despite impending elections, inflationary
pressures, and heavy demands upon our resources from our own peo-
ple, we gave a priority to the pressing need to restore Europe to eco-
nomic and financial health and strength. We diverted goods to Europe
and provided from our budget the means which Europe lacked to fi-
nance these goods.
    After the Marshall Plan came the need for military assistance to
fend off the Communist threat and the need to give aid to less-devel-
oped countries. At that time, I myself testified before our Congress, as
Commander of the NATO Forces, that the need for military assistance
would be temporary. Ever since, the American people have hoped that
the burden of our foreign expenditures, economic and military, would
eventually be lifted or at least substantially reduced by the cooperation
of other nations.



    Source: Department of State, Presidential Correspondence: Lot 66 D 204.
Personal
and Confidential.