824.248/243: Telegram
The Ambassador in Bolivia ( Boal ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 2:56 p.m.]
1152. Reference Embassy’s telegram 1095, November 24, 9 a.m.42 Thirteen of the fifteen training airplanes arrived at La Paz December 6, one having been delayed in Lima because of damage caused by motor failure on the take-off. The airplane flown by Colonel Coello which was damaged at San José, Costa Rica, is still being repaired there by Taca,43 Coello was brought back to La Paz as a passenger. None of the pilots was hurt during the trip. The pilots were met at the airport by a large and festive crowd, including President Peñaranda and the Minister of National Defense. I believe arrival of these airplanes will have an excellent effect as a concrete example of lend-lease deliveries and hemisphere defense cooperation.