837.82/26
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Braden)
Sir: Reference is made to your despatch no. 5515 of December 23, 19433 concerning the disposition of aids to navigation installed at the port of Nuevitas by the United States Coast Guard.
It is the view of the Department that rather than press the reimbursement by the Cuban Government it would be preferable to take advantage of the Navy Department’s offer to arrange for the transfer of this property to the Cuban Government in consideration for the use of Cuban property for the installation of these aids. You will note that the Navy Department, in its letter of August 2, 1943,3 requested that provision be made for wharfage and spare buoyage space at Cuban Government expense. If, in fact, the Cuban Government did provide facilities or the use of any property without expense to the Coast Guard, it would appear that this could be the basis for permitting these aids to navigation to remain in place after the war. The Department would appreciate being informed of the extent to which Cuban facilities or property was used without cost to the United States.
Very truly yours,