835.24/2095
The Secretary of State to
the Chargé in Argentina (Reed)
No. 4891
Washington, September 16, 1943.
Sir: There is enclosed a copy of a revision,
prepared by the Department, of the memorandum of March 4, 1943 on
economic policy towards Argentina. Copies of the revised memorandum,
bearing the date of August 26, 1943, are being transmitted to the
interested Departments and agencies of the Government.
You are requested to bring the new memorandum to the attention of the
appropriate officials of the British Embassy and the Canadian Legation
at Buenos Aires. The British Embassy and the Canadian Legation in
Washington are being informed by the Department.
For your information, the memorandum of August 26 is based upon
[Page 492]
an acceptance of the belief
that economic pressure will not change the course of Argentine foreign
policy. On that premise, the aim of the memorandum is only to secure all
the material advantages which the United Nations can obtain in Argentina
while making as little sacrifice towards Argentina as is necessary in
order to gain our material requirements.
Very truly yours,
For the Secretary of State:
Dean
Acheson
Assistant Secretary
of State
[Enclosure—Extract]
Memorandum for the Under Secretary of State on
the Economic Policy Toward Argentina, Revised as of August 26,
1943
Objectives of Policy
- 1.
- To secure the optimum utilization of those critical materials
or supplies which Argentina produces and which are essential for
the conduct of the war;
- 2.
- To assure the maximum utilization of critical materials by the
United Nations for supplying their needs and those of the
countries cooperating with them in the war effort;
- 3.
- To make available to Argentina such critical materials as it
may require for the attainment of the objectives set forth in
paragraph (1) above; for public health and safety; and, in
unusual circumstances, as compensation for goods or services
furnished by Argentina which imply sacrifice to its internal
economy.
Implementation of Policy
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5. Financial and Other
Measures.
- (a)
- Extend no government credits of any kind to Argentina;
- (b)
- Continue to increase the effectiveness of the Proclaimed list
through proper consignee control and supervision of imports from
the United States and, through cooperation with the British,
limiting imports from that country to proper consignees;
- (c)
- Increase the effectiveness of Navicert Control by again giving
the Embassy the right to examine proposed Argentine
consignees;
- (d)
- In collaboration with the Treasury Department, continue to
strengthen the measures designed to cut off transactions
involving assets within the United States or United States
concerns, when such transactions may directly or indirectly
benefit the Axis.
