875.6363/73: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Albania ( Grant-Smith )
18. Your no. 33, April 11, 9 a.m. The Department is not of the opinion that it would be appropriate to attempt to influence the [Page 384] Government of Albania regarding the time and manner of considering the various proposals for oil concessions. The position of this Government would be substantially met were appropriate opportunity granted to interested American companies to compete on equal terms with other companies, and if proper consideration be given their offers on their merits and no concession which contains privileges of an essentially monopolistic or exclusive character for either prospecting or exploitation is granted.
Equality of opportunity appears to be denied by the permission which from your telegram no. 17 of February 21, 10 a.m., seems to have been accorded the Anglo-Persian Oil Company to submit better modified terms if better offers are received. The Department does not, however, favor a joint protest as suggested in paragraph two of your telegram.