561.333D3/1633: Airgram
The Ambassador in Colombia ( Lane ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 15—1 p.m.]
A–112. In the course of a conversation this morning Dr. Caballera Escovar, Acting Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Daniels7 that Colombia felt it should have a larger basic quota for coffee exports to the United States, under the Inter-American Coffee Agreement, and was considering making a request in that sense. He referred in this connection to the increased production of coffee in Colombia, as contrasted with other producing countries. It was pointed out to Dr. Caballero that in the past other countries had likewise sought increases in their basic quotas, and that the proper channel through which to present any such request would be through the Inter-American Coffee Board. It was further pointed out that the United States had always been reluctant to express approval or disapproval of quota increases requested by individual producing countries, but was motivated primarily by the desire to have the Inter-American Coffee Agreement operated smoothly to the general satisfaction of all the participating countries.
(Mejía8 has not so far discussed with the Embassy a possible basic quota increase for Colombia.)