835.24/2622: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Chile (Bowers)
418. The Department and FEA have considered Embassy’s telegram no. 622 of April 3, 5 p.m. and believe that formula developed by Chilean Ambassador to Argentina and Argentine Ministry of War, although not completely satisfactory, is sufficient assurance to proceed without further delay with negotiations terminating Copper Agreement.
After reviewing Embassy’s despatch no. 9210 of March 21, 1944,39 Department and FEA believe that Brazil and Uruguay can best defend their own interests in securing essential refinery shapes from Chile and that it would only complicate matters for Embassy to attempt secure commitment of exports to those countries, while at this time we are anxious for clean and complete termination Copper Agreement. Embassy at its own discretion can express verbally to Chilean foreign office that this Government hopes Chile will give Brazil and Uruguay ready access to refinery shapes for essential purposes and Embassy may also care explain situation informally to Brazilian and Uruguayan Ambassadors. Please notify immediately when Copper Agreement is terminated so that other embassies can be notified to cease transmitting copies import recommendations through Santiago.
Department leaves it to best discretion of Embassy how to screen in advance copper shipments to Argentina after Agreement has been terminated.
- Not printed.↩