740.24112A/12–2044
The Ambassador in Bolivia ( Thurston ) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 29.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the program to replace Axis spearhead firms in Bolivia …
. . . .
The message62 is interesting in several respects. It does not call for ratification of the Supreme Decrees of April 30 and August 28, 1943 (which create the Economic Defense Board of Bolivia and vest it with extensive powers), although the ratification of such decrees is deemed necessary to the replacement program and has been promised by the Government. It acknowledges that only the Legislative Power may confer on the Executive Power the authority to expropriate Axis firms and thus seems to pave the way for the Executive Power’s taking no action to expropriate under its own decrees if they are not ratified by the Congress. And it makes an implied but frank reference to the tin-price negotiations proceeding in Washington and indicates that Bolivia’s position in such negotiations may be improved if the decrees are ratified.
It is reliably reported to the Embassy that the National Convention will adjourn on December 31. There are, thus, very few more sessions in which the controversial matter of the decrees may be considered.
Respectfully yours,
[Conversations between Bolivian and American representatives continued in 1945. In Department’s telegram 368, May 30, 1945, the Embassy at La Paz was informed that an Export-Import Bank loan, for use in a replacement program, was no longer to be expected (740.24112 R. P./5–2245).]
- President Villarroel’s message, said to have been sent to the National Convention on December 8, 1944.↩