Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1943, The American Republics, Volume V

800.6363/1114: Telegram

The Chargé in Argentina (Reed) to the Secretary of State

Buenos Aires, March 5, 1943—midnight.
[Received March 5—10:22 p.m.]

514. For Thornburg³¹ from Clover.…

Embassy’s telegram No. 487, March 2,³² informed the Department of Dodero’s³³ desire to acquire the evidently dama[ged] tanker from the Italian esaodero [sic]. If the transfer to the Argentine flag is approved it would greatly assist in closing the petroleum negotiations if the Embassy could handle the final release and thus use the transfer as an additional incentive. It is contemplated that Argentina will export 300,000 to 350,000 tons of petroleum and thus save the time of say five or [six?] tankers. Their ships remain at their disposal but this will give almost the same operating result as if Argentina formally joined the tanker pool. Conversations will begin on this phase just as soon as the quantity of drilling material is determined and at that time it will be almost essential to have the Department’s indication that the material is really available in order to counteract rumors that it never will be released.

Please inform Bohan. [Clover.]

Reed

31. Max W. Thornburg, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State and Petroleum Adviser.
32. Not printed.
33. A. A. Dodero, member of Cia. Argentina de Navegacién Mihanovich, L. D. A.