811.516 Export-Import Bank/7–444: Telegram

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

569. From Pierson, Export-Import Bank. As indicated in memorandum accompanying my June 3 [6] letter7 we have refrained from approving (additional projects for Comisón de Fomento Naoional pending clarification of issues discussed with García Montes. During recent visit to this office, Montoulieu pointed out that continuation of this policy would prevent the reorganized Comisíon8 from carrying out its functions and duties inasmuch as pending requests for project approvals include integral parts of sanitation programs in Santiago and Guantanamo. Preliminary projects covering these entire programs were approved by us January 1943 and definitive projects relating to portions of work were approved prior to our March 29 memorandum to Concheso.9 I feel we should not be in position of obstructing progress on these programs and strongly favor going forward with vital portions of work. Also failure to do so will jeopardize Comisíon’s applications before WPB.10 I assume this view is in accord with the last paragraph of your June 24 letter11 which has just reached me [Page 982] and unless we ‘hear from you to the contrary we will proceed on this basis. Whether we should later seek cancellation of commitment can be determined from outcome of further conversations with present Government, President-elect Grau or his representatives. [Pierson.]

Hull
  1. See footnote 6, p. 979.
  2. The following officers were elected on May 4: Eduardo Montoulieu, President; Oscar García Montes, Treasurer; Jerónimo Acosta Recio, General Manager.
  3. Memorandum prepared by the Export-Import Bank and handed to Ambassador Concheso on March 29 just prior to his departure for Cuba to confer with President Batista on this subject; not printed.
  4. War Production Board.
  5. Letter addressed to Mr. Pierson by Ambassador Braden, copy of which was transmitted to the Department in despatch 7269, June 24, 1944, from Habana. The paragraph under reference stated the Ambassador’s recommendation that full support be given to the projects already approved, but expressed his hope that no new projects would be approved before the visit of President-elect Grau to Washington. (811.516 Export-Import Bank/996)