846E.2562/9–1852: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Ceylon
107. Embtel 123.1 Dept has kept constantly under review possibility revising dusting sulphur policy and concurs statement re failure to date halt rubber shipment Commie Chi. But in view fact annual requirement is 6,000 tons (Embtel 125)2 and estimated quantity shipped or licensed thus far 1952 by other supplying countries about 3500 tons, welcome further Emb views on possible results further efforts stop rubber shipments through joint efforts restrict dusting sulphur supplies.
Dept has tried obtain assurances from principal supplying countries re limitation shipments dusting sulphur with varying degrees success. Latest positions indicated in Rome tel 854,3 Paris tel 1812,4 London tel 815.5 Doubtful that further approaches along these lines wld meet our objective of having firm policy decision re future shipments.
Dept therefore considering whether there is better chance of achieving objective through joint action (not through Additional Measures Comite) based on proposition that limitation sulphur shipments necessary to make effective UN strategic embargo resolution May 18, 1951 because sulphur availability directly related rubber production. Purpose in seeking such joint action wld be avoid appearance unilateral pressure by US.
Dept emphasizes foregoing thinking entirely tentative.
Desire Emb evaluation of net advantages or disadvantages to achievement US aims—especially halting rubber shipments Commie [Page 1544] Chi—inherent above suggested action: (a) if resulting eventually in complete sulphur embargo, (b) if resulting in partial but damaging embargo, (c) if largely ineffective; under assumption Ceylon becomes aware other supplying countries withhold dusting sulphur in support UN resolution.
Dept understands Commie Chi net sulphur importer therefore not likely be able supply substantial quantities sulphur Ceylon.
- Dated Sept. 18, p. 1541.↩
- Telegram 125 from Colombo, Sept. 22, 1952, stated that the Ceylonese Government had estimated the annual sulphur requirement to be 6,000 tons and had informed rubber producers that they should expect no difficulty in meeting their sulphur needs. As a result of the Rubber Research Board’s 1951 report commenting on a particularly severe oidium season, the Ceylonese Government on Sept. 17 had ordered compulsory sulphur dusting of most categories of rubber trees. (846E.2562/9–2252)↩
- Telegram 854 from Rome, Aug. 27, 1952, stated that Ceylon could purchase refined sulphur through regular Italian trade channels. The Italian Foreign Office reported that two Italian companies held valid licenses for the exportation of 1,000 tons of dusting sulphur each and indicated that no additional licenses would be issued. (446E.119/8–2752)↩
- Telegram 1812 from Paris, Sept. 23, 1952, stated that French export licensing authorities said that it would be very difficult to refuse export licenses for French black sulphur destined for Ceylon in view of the apparent failure of other countries to stop such exports. They continued that black sulphur producers were now clamoring for additional licenses and that it would be unfair to penalize them while exporters in other countries were taking advantage of the Ceylon situation. (446E.519/9–2352)↩
- Telegram 815 from London, Aug. 13, 1952, stated that a recent letter from the British Foreign Office to the Embassy indicated that the Ceylonese were promised refined sulphur “up to 500 tons only.” The letter further stated that the last license was issued July 10, bringing the total to 500, and that the Ceylonese had been told that thereafter they had to look to the International Materials Conference for further sulphur supplies. (846E.2562/8–1352)↩