837.61351/12–1444: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Braden)
952. The United States Governmental agencies involved in sugar, molasses and alcohol matters are unanimous in the opinion that we cannot discuss any of the controversial points, mentioned in your A–2783 of December 13 and 1068 of December 14,57 until Cuba has accepted the 3-cent price. We suggest that you inform the Cubans of this position. When the 3-cent price is acceptable to the Cuban Commission we shall be glad to renew discussions of the other issues.
The following is for your strictly confidential information. Questions of price and absorption of internal 1946 Cuban expenses are not subject to further negotiation. The quantity of the 1946 Cuban sugar purchase can possibly be adjusted upward.
Regarding possible increase in stevedoring charges, we must insist that under no circumstances can such increases be for our account. The possibility of an exchange of notes is being reviewed again.
The Cuban Commission has made no reply of any sort to the alcohol-blackstrap proposals and no major concessions appear justified.
- Telegram 1068 not printed.↩