811.20 Defense (M) Bolivia/1302: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Bolivia (Boal)
1242. The Department feels strongly that there should be no exceptions to the proposed quinine agreement such as that discussed in your 1364 [1634], October 8, noon. In your conversations with the Foreign Minister you should stress the fact that quinine products are urgently needed for the armed forces of the United Nations and that all quinine received in this country is allocated solely for that purpose. Diversion of quinine, even in small quantities, to civilian use in a neutral country is thus clearly counter to the war effort of the United Nations, which Bolivia has joined.
The latest information available to the Department as to the Argentine stock position in anti-malarials is that 6 years’ supply of quinine salts was on hand in Argentina in November 1942 and almost 2 years’ supply of atebrin in May 1943. Argentina is probably in a better position as regards anti-malarials than any other country. The complete adequacy of its supply is indicated by the fact that offers for sale abroad of quinine are being made frequently by Argentine interests. There would thus appear to be no valid reason why Argentina cannot meet its needs for anti-malarials from present stocks for several years. The Department feels that any shipments could be used only for stockpiling or speculative purposes. Should Argentina in the future face a legitimate shortage of anti-malarials, the appropriate agencies of this Government will, of course, be prepared to consider sympathetically meeting its essential requirements within the limitations of available supply.
The Department desires you to present the foregoing considerations to the Foreign Minister. It hopes that with full knowledge of the [Page 575] facts he will agree that his country can contribute materially to the war effort by discouraging additional accumulation of quinine in Argentina. OEW concurs.