837.6363/557a: Airgram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba ( Braden )
Washington
, April 21,
1944—3:15 p.m.
A–673. Reference is made to your 387 of April 15, 6 p.m. The 161,000 gallons of gas oil unloaded in Habana from Mexico for Cumex cannot be considered ex quota.
Adequate machinery already exists and functions for the consideration of Cuba’s minimum requirements of petroleum products. These arrangements would be completely stultified if ex quota shipments are permitted. Furthermore, Cuba has as you clearly state an alternative immediately at hand, namely, the already approved gas oil for gasoline exchange.
Hull