Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

824.01/596

Memorandum by the Chief of the Division of the American Republics ( Bonsal ) to the Chief of the Division of Cultural Relations ( Thomson )

[ Washington ,] January 6, 1944.

Mr. Thomson: Owing to the present situation which exists in Bolivia and the attitude of this Government towards the Junta which has established itself in La Paz, it is felt that it would be desirable to suspend all cultural relations activities which might require contact between officials of the United States Government and the Junta authorities. This policy would apply specifically to fellowship, scholarship and travel grant programs where a Bolivian recipient might present a passport issued by the Junta to the Embassy for a visa. In this connection, the Department has instructed the Embassy in La Paz not to honor any document executed by the present Junta.

In the event that the Department has agreed with the Embassy in La Paz to meet certain deadlines for announcement of awards, there would be no objection to forwarding the notification of awards with specific instructions not to deliver them to the recipients until such time as further instructions are given to the Embassy.

May I also suggest that RC¹³ undertake to inform the Coordinator’s Office¹⁴ and other interested agencies of this policy.

Philip W. Bonsal

13. Division of Cultural Relations.
14. Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.