Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, The Far East, Volume V

890H.24/154: Telegram

The Minister in Afghanistan ( Engert ) to the Secretary of State

Kabul , February 11, 1944—7 p.m.
[Received February 15—9:23 a.m.]

19. Afghan authorities urge that a separate shipping quota be established for United States exports to Afghanistan and that within this quota Afghan representatives themselves be permitted to assign priorities for shipment of goods licensed for export by the United States.

British Legation inclines to view that this would simplify procedure without depriving India of any significant tonnage and without interfering with control by export license. Beecroft² and I concur. Joint screening would of course remain necessary here both for preliminary determination of source of supply and to estimate total shipping program.

British Legation is consulting its Government.

Please inform FEA.³

Engert

2. Eric Beecroft of the Office of the Special Representative of the Foreign Economic Administration at New Delhi was at Kabul January 12 to February 13 studying the Afghan supply situation.
3. Foreign Economic Administration.