Office of the Historian

837.61351/5–1249: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Cuba

restricted
niact
Washington, May 12, 1949—6 p. m.

197. Tentative agreement reached today with reps Cuban Sugar Inst for simultaneous purchase 400,000 long tons sugar by CCC and [Page 630] 350,000 long tons by Brit. Agreement which will also govern terms Brit purchase provides:

1.
250,000 long tons, including 5 CC parcels already shipped, at four cents per pound for shipment Príor July 1.
2.
Balance to be shipped rate 100,000 long tons per month subsequent July 1 will be priced according average world spot price Cuban sugar New York market prevailing during month of shipment.
3.
Cuban Govt will release 250,000 long tons for free world market.

CCC officials, Sir William Book rep Brit Food Ministry, and Cuban negotiators pleased over agreement. Cuban reps endeavoring clear agreement with Prío by phone today and if he approves, press release will probably be issued here tomorrow.1

Acheson
  1. Airgram 646, May 13, from Habana (not printed), transmitted the texts of comments made by President Prío and Agriculture Minister Perez on the conclusion of the sugar agreement (837.61351/5–1349).↩