340. National Security Action Memorandum No. 2440
TO
- The Secretary of Agriculture
SUBJECT
- The Future of the World Sugar Market
The current situation in the world market for sugar is a matter of considerable concern to the Standing Group of the National Security Council. The unusually high price of sugar is significant both in its relation to the economic prospects of Cuba and in its relation to restrictions on the production of sugar in free countries, and not least in the United States. It is requested that you take the lead in a study of the current situation and of alternative courses of action that might best serve the economic interests of the United States and of other free countries, bearing in mind the particular interest which we have in preventing any long continuation of unjustifiably high prices for Cuban sugar on the world market.
[Page 818]It is hoped that a report might be available for distribution not later than Monday, May 27,1 and that you might be willing to join with the Standing Group in a discussion of this matter on Tuesday, May 28, probably at 5:00 p.m.2
Both the Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency have expressed their interest in this study and their readiness to cooperate, and I assume that you will draw on other agencies of the government in any way you wish. Here at the White House I am ensuring that Myer Feldman is informed of the Standing Group’s interest in the problem.
- Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Countries Series, Cuba, General, 5/1-5/15/63. Confidential. Copies sent to all members of the Standing Group of the National Security Council.↩
- The paper, May 27, is ibid., Meetings and Memoranda Series, Standing Group Meeting, 5/28/63. See the Supplement.↩
- See Document 344.↩