693.0031 Tibet/8–3148

The Secretary of State to the Leader of the Tibetan Trade Mission (Shakabpa), in New York

My Dear Mr. Shakabpa: I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of August 31, 1948, addressed to the Secretary of State requesting a loan from the United States of two million dollars with which to purchase machinery for export to Tibet and also to acquire gold for currency stabilization purposes.

There are no funds available at the present time to permit a loan to the Government of Tibet for currency stabilization purposes.

With respect to your interest in the purchase of machinery, the Export-Import Bank of Washington is authorized under certain conditions to make loans and guarantees to finance exports from the United States. The facilities of the Bank are available to United States exporters of goods and technical services, and to foreign governments and their agencies, foreign banks and enterprises. While your letter does not offer details concerning the types of machinery which your Mission is interested in purchasing, or the character or terms of the loan which is sought, you might desire to discuss these matters directly with representatives of the Export-Import Bank. For your consideration, a copy of the general policy statement of the Export-Import Bank is enclosed.

Sincerely yours,

For the Secretary of State:
J. Burke Knapp

Director Office of Financial and Development Policy