831.24/623: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Venezuela (Corrigan)
337. From Lazo17 for Eisenhardt18 attention Reday. Your airgram A–202, April 29, 1943.19 Venezuela instituted Plan A April 1, but in order to maintain adequate flow of commodities to Venezuela and to inflict minimum dislocation in commercial transactions the Board of Economic Warfare extended 30 days interim period to 60 days for issuance of export licenses without Import Recommendations as per circular airgram of April 24, 194320 and Current Control Bulletin No. 80. Furthermore, issuance of license is not contingent upon date material will be ready for shipment.
Shipping backlog now materially reduced. For your confidential information the immediate shipping picture is more favorable than for some time. Under these circumstances to make an inventory of material in backlog would be an unnecessary burden for both ourselves and the Control Commission. The present backlog figures are not sufficiently up to date to give you an accurate picture of the situation, and at best, would be only misleading. It is therefore anticipated that when Plan A becomes fully effective for Venezuela June 1st, backlog will not require special consideration nor revalidation by Control Commission of Imports.
It is important not to interrupt Venezuela’s steady receipt of merchandise from this country, and we must be assured that Venezuela [Page 298] will permit entry without Import Recommendation all commodities licensed for which freight space applications have been approved prior to June 1st. To recall licenses granted or cancel freight space applications would not only create an immediate deficiency of cargo but would be prejudicial to Venezuela’s best interests.
Please assure Venezuelan authorities through the Embassy that we are carefully following situation and should unforeseen developments necessitate modification of our present view on this situation we shall immediately advise you so that appropriate steps may be taken. [Lazo.]