Foreign Relations of the United States, 1947, The American Republics, Volume VIII

815.24/1–147: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Honduras

confidential

Washington, January 4, 1947—6 p.m.

1. As indicated Deptel No. 153 Dec 31² Dept does not object Honduras obtaining non-military engineering equipment provided equipment is purchased outside interim program in which Honduras currently not included. However, War Assets Administration, which disposes of equipment of this type located in U.S., states informally that most of equipment desired by Honduras is unavailable for sale to foreign governments because of regulations requiring that it be offered to veterans and domestic purchasers. FLC, which disposes of surplus equipment located outside U.S., states that practically all surplus equipment in Pacific area has been turned over to Philippine and Chinese governments.³ It is very unlikely that engineering equipment would be available from these sources and negotiations for the sale of any equipment would have to be conducted by Honduras directly with those governments.

If notwithstanding above Col Adams⁴ still wishes to come to Washington Dept would have no objection provided such a visit does not coincide with that Col Bertrand.⁵

Byrnes

2. Not printed.
3. In an unnumbered telegram of September 18, 1947, the Ambassador in Honduras reported to the Department that he had sent a telegram to the American Embassy, Panama, for FLC, expressing concern that there was some hesitation on the part of FLC to sell to Honduras badly needed heavy engineering equipment and requesting their full cooperation in releasing this equipment for sale to Honduras immediately, adding, “as you know Honduras has benefitted very little either by FLC program or previously by Lend-Lease activities”. (815.24 FLC/9–1847) In telegram 101, October 20, 1947, 6 p.m., the Department informed the Embassy in Honduras that FLC had approved the transfer of heavy engineering equipment (815.24 FLC/10–2047).
4. Lt. Col. James Y. Adams, Chief, United States Military Mission in Honduras.
5. Col. Francisco Bertrand, Honduran Army. The Honduran Ambassador had requested in December 1946 that Colonel Adams be authorized to come to the United States with Colonel Bertrand on what was believed to be a purchasing mission for military supplies for Honduras (815.24/12–2446).