800.85/620: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Colombia ( Lane )

645. Your 688, May 22, 8 p.m. and 740, June 2, 7 p.m.84 Following from War Shipping Administration:

“The Government of the United States offers to purchase from the Government of the Republic of Colombia the two Italian tankers, the Anteo and the Rapallo. The Government of the United States offers through the War Shipping Administration a total of $1,500,000 for the two tankers. Furthermore, it is understood that the Government of the United States will take delivery of the tankers in their present location and present condition as soon as possible after the consummation of the foregoing arrangement.

The Government of the United States also offers satisfactory assurance to the Republic of Colombia that, in the event that the Republic of Colombia is held liable to the owners of the tankers or to the Italian Government for an aggregate amount in excess of $1,500,000 by post-war arbitration or other international determination held in accordance with proceedings mutually satisfactory to the United States and the Republic of Colombia, the United States will pay to the Republic of Colombia the amount of such excess. If these terms [Page 202] are satisfactory to the Republic of Colombia, the United States is prepared to execute a mutually satisfactory purchase agreement within the next 10 days. Appropriate officials of the Republic of Colombia in Washington should be authorized to execute such an agreement.”

It would be extremely desirable to have some understanding as to how soon we may place these tankers into operation if the above message is satisfactory to the President.

Hull
  1. Latter not printed.