835.1561/9–447
The Ambassador in Argentina (Bruce) to the Secretary of State
No. 2943
Sir: I have the honor to refer to the Department’s Confidential Instruction No 869 of August 2, 1947, regarding the preferential berthing of vessels in the Port of Buenos Aires.
[Page 270]Further discussion of the subject matter with the governmental authorities and others named below87 indicates that preferential treatment has been and continues to be accorded, as a rule, only to ships owned or chartered by the Argentine government.
The authorities referred to felt that this practice was not discriminatory. An interest was expressed in being informed of the practice of the United States government in berthing its own and its chartered merchant vessels engaged in carrying government and/or civilian cargo. Consequently, the Embassy would, before making representations on a higher level, appreciate receiving such information on this subject as the Department and the Maritime Commission may be able to provide, as well as comment on the overall situation as described in the enclosure.
Respectfully yours,
Counselor of Embassy for Economic Affairs
- In enclosure to this despatch; not printed.↩