285. Memorandum of a Conversation, Ambassador’s Residence, Panama City, July 23, 19561
PRESENT:
- The President
- The Secretary of State
- Dr. Milton Eisenhower
- Asst. Secy Holland
- Mr. Jack D. Neal (MID)
- President Batista
- Foreign Minister Gonzalo Guell
After an exchange of pleasantries, President Batista expressed his concern regarding the sugar situation, pointing out that sugar comprises 87% of Cuba’s exports; therefore, the economy of the country depends greatly upon that one product. He indicated the present poor condition of the world sugar market was having a bad effect in Cuba. He is attempting to alleviate the economic situation by a public works program, but that is going slow at the present time. He stated the heavy investment of United States private capital—$400 million.
President Batista handed President Eisenhower an aide-mémoire (copy attached) making certain recommendations for improving trade relations between Cuba and the United States and a better coordinated technical cooperation program for the economic and social development of Cuba, suggesting that a special Cuban-United States [Page 833] Commission of experts be established to study these recommendations.
President Eisenhower stated he is always pleased to study all suggestions made by our sister Republic. However, the American form of government is such that it is impossible to make promises as to what we can or cannot do. The President commented that from his observation everyone is mad about the sugar situation—but that we have to work on these problems without getting angry—he emphasized that we could not take unilateral action and do as we please.
President Batista stated with reference to the Point IV Program2 he had not obtained the technical expert he felt was required. He wants an expert on crop diversification.
President Eisenhower said this was the type of information he wished to have and he would like for President Batista to set forth in a memorandum just exactly what his requirements are and that his government would get busy on the matter. President Batista said he would get this information to Assistant Secretary Holland.
In a discussion of the merits of technical assistance by the United Nations and that by the United States, President Batista expressed his preference for United States assistance since it provided greater facilities.
Secretary Dulles stated we had found from our experience in other parts of the world that bi-lateral agreements on Point IV were preferable to the broad coverage of the UN.
President Eisenhower stated the press was waiting outside and desired photographs if he had no objections. President Batista stated it would be a pleasure for him.
Photographs were taken on the steps of the Embassy entrance.
[Page 834]- Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 62 D 181. Official Use Only. Drafted by Neal. The source text bears Holland’s initials. A handwritten note on the source text indicates that William B. Macomber, Special Assistant to the Secretary, approved the memorandum for distribution. This conversation occurred after the meeting of the American Presidents in Panama City on July 21–22; see Documents 109 ff.↩
- For documentation of the administration of this technical assistance program by the Foreign Operations Administration (FOA), established on August 1, 1953, see Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. i, Part 1, pp. 227 ff.↩
- The source text is a translation done by the Department of State’s Division of Language Services.↩