102.78/7–3046
The Ambassador in Venezuela (Corrigan) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:16 p.m.]
382. Reports from interior indicate Maracaibo is practically out of wheat flour while bakeries and macaroni factories in Puerto Cabello and Valencia have closed down. Insofar as Embassy can learn from incomplete ships manifests total wheat flour imports at La Guaira for July are less than 20,000 bags. This is far cry from 76,000 bags July quota offered by Washington and accepted as minimum by Embassy.
I request Department to investigate whether quota of 152,000 cwt for July–August is being fully implemented by licensing and shipment. If authorities have failed to heed Embassy’s request (Embtel 337, July 2, 6 p.m.86), and have held back on licensing this country will be out of bread flour entirely in a few weeks with unpredictable economic and political consequences. Please advise.
- Not printed.↩