824.24/925: Telegram
The Ambassador in Bolivia (Boal) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6:25 p.m.]
1987. For Department and Foreign Economic Administration. With reference to overthrow of Bolivian Government53 and establishment of Revolutionary Junta on December 20 and consequent lack of existence of recognized government, Embassy’s Requirements and Licensing Section and FEA propose to follow following policy in absence of instructions to the contrary:
Import Recommendations will be processed on usual basis in an effort to maintain steady flow of export licenses and full utilization of shipping space; requirements reports will be prepared in usual manner and forwarded as soon as plane service resumes; Bolivian agreement to modification of Decentralization Plan effective January 1, 1944 (subject to our acceptance of two conditions) will be assumed to have full validity in view of the assurances of the Junta that all Bolivia’s external agreements and commitments will be respected; routine requirements matters such as distribution among importers of commodities subject to allocation will be handled with existing Priorities Committee and its secretary so long as they remain in office. [Page 148] However, basic policy discussions with the Committee will be avoided so far as possible in absence of diplomatic recognition by us of the government under which the Committee now functions.
Reference Embassy’s No. 1966, December 16, 1943, please expedite reply and release of press publicity if our Government accepts. Change in government here renders publicity imperative if we wish to assure Bolivian acceptance with no further attempted modifications.
Kazen joins in this message and in request that Embassy and FEA be appropriately instructed.