800.24/298²⁄₁₁: Telegram
The Minister in Egypt (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:40 p.m.]
443. My 434, March 19, 8 p.m. A letter has been received from the Director General of the Middle East Supply Center7a reading in part as follows: [Page 4]
“I have received a telegram from London which indicates that there is a possibility of cereals being sent in future to the Middle East under lease-lend terms. It would help us greatly if it could be agreed that the allocation of lease-lend cargoes would be made by Middle East Supply Center in full consultation with the American Legation taking into consideration the other supplies and cereals which are being imported into the area and also having regard to the actual cereals being harvested in the various territories.
If your Minister could agree with this procedure it would help us and the Ministry of War Transport in several ways. If the Minister agreed in principle I understand that it would facilitate discussions which are at present taking place in London if [he] could inform the representatives of the Government of the United States in London that he would be in agreement with a procedure by which cereals imported into the Middle East under lease-lend were distributed by the Middle East Supply Center in consultation with the American Legation. Of course when the allocations were eventually made care would be taken to indicate clearly to the territories those cargoes which were being shipped under the Lend Lease Act.”8
Both General Maxwell and I do so agree and so inform the Department for such action as may be considered appropriate. I should appreciate advices as to action taken.