Office of the Historian

CO–30. Memorandum of Conversation, by the Director of the Office of West Coast Affairs (Coerr)1

Washington, April 7, 1960

SUBJECT

  • Conversation Between the Secretary and President Lleras of Colombia: Coffee.

PARTICIPANTS

  • President Alberto Lleras Camargo
  • Ambassador Sanz de Santamaría of Colombia
  • Secretary Herter
  • Mr. Rubottom, ARA
  • Mr. Mann, E
  • Ambassador McIntosh
  • Mr. Bell, U/MSC
  • Mr. Mau, S/S–RO
  • Mr. Coerr, ARA/WST
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Declaring that his Government was most grateful for the support of the United States in the development of the Coffee Study Group,2 Ambassador Sanz said it was now time to start again the preparations for continuing the study group beyond its first year of life, due to expire in September 1960. He said that Brazil’s heavy surplus of coffee creates a most serious problem. Mr. Mann agreed, pointing out that the surplus is being augmented in Brazil both by price supports and by the fact that the world price is 36 cents per pound, whereas Santos growers can make money at 11 cents per pound.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 721.11/4–760. Official Use Only. Approved in the Office of the Secretary on April 13.↩
  2. Documentation on U.S. participation in the Coffee Study Group is in the compilation on regional economic policy.↩