611.2231/265: Telegram

The Minister in Ecuador (Long) to the Secretary of State

77. Members of National Economic Council are resigning and Council may be abolished. Council is thus making no report on trade agreement, although a member thereof informed the Foreign Minister by telephone this morning that the Council approved the trade agreement in principle but would refrain from submitting a written report in view of the fact that it was disintegrating.

Matter is again in the hands of the Foreign Minister with whom I am conferring again on Monday.

Referring to Department’s telegram No. 32, June 29, 7 p.m., it now appears essential that the Department instruct me by telegraph at earliest possible date, whether or not Schedule I, proposed by the Ecuadorian Foreign Office, can be accepted if more concessions can not be obtained. I shall endeavor in any event to obtain additional concessions but immediate action seems imperative due to the approaching change in Government. Despatch by air mail.

Long