821.24/6–2644

The Secretary of State to the Colombian Ambassador ( Turbay )

Excellency: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s note of December 16, 194220 concerning the presentation of schedules and accounts of deliveries of, and payment for, defense articles made [Page 812] available to the Colombian Government under the terms of the Lend-Lease Agreement signed on March 17, 1942 between the United States of America and the Republic of Colombia.

In this connection there are enclosed two copies of a statement25 prepared by the Foreign Economic Administration concerning the materials and equipment transferred to the Government of Colombia up to the date of March 31, 1944. It is noted that the total amount of the items listed is $3,059,167.53. In addition to the copies of the statement mentioned, there are enclosed three copies of detailed schedules and lists of supplies and equipment25 arranged under the headings of the respective divisions of the agencies through which the materials were obtained.

The Department will submit at a later date a supplementary statement which will include such additional items as may be delivered to the Government of Colombia subsequent to March 31, 1944 and which do not appear in the enclosed statement.

I should be pleased if Your Excellency would be so kind as to transmit copies of the enclosed statement, schedules and accounts to the appropriate officials of the Colombian Government to the end that steps could be taken to effect the payments to this Government in the manner prescribed in Article II of the March 17, 1942 Agreement.

It would be appreciated if payment could now be made in the amount of $1,200,000.00 which is due as of June 30, 1943, in the form of a check drawn to the order of the Treasurer of the United States of America, which could be sent to this Department for appropriate disposition.26

For reasons of military security, I trust that the schedules and accounts which are enclosed herewith will be treated by Your Excellency’s Government on a most confidential basis.

Accept [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Dean Acheson
  1. Not printed.
  2. Not printed.
  3. Not printed.
  4. Payment was received for the full amount under cover of a note from the Colombian Embassy dated August 16, 1944 (821.24/8–1644).