821.796 Avianca/126: Telegram
The Ambassador in Colombia (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received 12:10 p.m.]
159. Department’s 112. I have already expressed appreciation as indicated in Department’s telegram. In view of President’s personal guarantee (point 9 my telegram No. 48 of February 22, 10 [2] p.m.) and of Minister of War last Friday having broached to Rihl subject of absorbing of Arco by Avianca,59 and of my previous remarks to authorities here on the subject, if the Department has no objection I recommend my deferring raising point with President until more appropriate moment.
In regard to Schnurbusch and other Germans pursuant to my final talk with Burke60 I urge that through aeronautical Chamber of Commerce and in every other way possible sales to firms or individuals in Colombia of new or second-hand airplanes and equipment including spare parts be prevented unless specifically approved by this Embassy.61
- Purchase of Arco by Avianca required months of negotiation; its consummation was not announced to the Chargé in Colombia until April 26, 1941.↩
- Thomas Burke, Chief of the Division of International Communications.↩
- At this juncture, the Division of Controls felt that no measures could be taken to prevent the export of materials which Schnurbusch might purchase.↩