Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

837.6363/547: Telegram

The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State

Habana, April 15, 1944—6 p.m.
[Received 8:35 p.m.]

387. Minister of State⁶⁸ advised me that Mexican tanker has unloaded 161,000 gallons gas oil in Habana for Cumex and urgently requests that it be considered ex quota. I stated I would be glad to cable Washington which would have to make the decision but situation was such that in all frankness I was not at all sanguine that his request could be granted.

I can see no justification for increasing Cuba’s supply of petroleum products. If Cuban Government were to follow up, its proposal for trade of gasoline for gas oil reported in Embassy’s despatch number 5729 of January 18, 1944,⁷⁰ it is believed that all Cuba’s essential requirements could be met. I consequently recommend that this shipment not be considered ex quota. Please instruct.

Braden

68. Jorge Mañach y Roberto.
70. Not printed; the proposal called for a reduction in imports of 6 million gallons of gasoline (to be offset in part by additional supplies of carburante for local Cuban alcohol production) and the import instead of 6 million gallons of gas oil (837.6363/519).