837.24/12–2844
The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received January 4, 1945.]
Sir: I have the honor to refer to my airgram A–2223, October 2, 2:25 p.m., 1944, and to previous correspondence with regard to the amount of $1,400,000 due from the Cuban Government on the account of Lend-Lease and to inform the Department that I have discussed this matter on a number of occasions with the Minister of State and the Minister of the Treasury.63 Both of these officials have assured me that it is the full intention of the Grau administration to make payment promptly but up to the present time no effective action along this line has been taken.
I mentioned this situation on December 26 to Ambassador Belt,64 who is at present in Habana. He said that there is an “understanding around generally” that Lend-Lease will never be collected; therefore, Cuba does not wish to pay and later find that others have not been required to do so. I assured Ambassador Belt that he was mistaken and that the United States Government does expect to be reimbursed in accordance with the terms of the various Lend-Lease agreements. The Department may wish to take an appropriate opportunity to reiterate this point of view to Ambassador Belt.
Respectfully yours,
First Secretary of Embassy