Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The American Republics, Volume XI

822.248/1–1746: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Ecuador (Scotten)

secret

Washington, January 17, 1946—7 p.m.

15. In conversation January 8, Assistant Secretary Braden agreed with General Arnold⁷ to approve interim allocation of aircraft to armed forces of Ecuador as follows: 2 PBY’s, 15 P–47’s, 4 C–47’s, 6 C–45’s.⁸ Because certain of these types of planes are now in short supply, it may be necessary to substitute other types for them.

Approval of this interim allocation is subject to your concurrence and subsequently to views of Ecuadoran Govt should it not wish to receive full number approved by you.

It was further understood that any “implied commitment” on the delivery of planes to other American republics resulting from staff conversations will be discharged when planes in interim allocation are made available. No further allocations of military planes to other American republics will be made until State and War Depts review and agree on basic policies of program of military collaboration.

No decision as to exact price for planes has as yet been made, but military planes will probably be made available at low figure, and prices will be same to all countries.

Please telegraph Dept whether you approve allocations mentioned above.⁹ Although you will no doubt wish to consult U.S. military air officers, your decision should, of course, take political and economic factors into account.

The foregoing information is not to be disclosed to Ecuadoran officials. For your information questions of procedure on disposal of planes are still to be worked out. Dept will inform you as soon as ground and air force equipment can be made available.

Acheson

7. Gen. Henry H. Arnold, Commanding General, Army Air Forces.
8. The PBY’s and P–47’s were patrol and dive bombers and the C–47’s and 0–45’s were transport planes.
9. In telegram 38, January 22, 1946, 5 p.m., Ambassador Scotten advised the Department of the desirability of supplying the aircraft indicated here and of the harmless character of the planes with respect to neighboring countries. (822.248/1–2246)