853M.6363/32: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador to the Belgian Government in Exile (Biddle), at London
2475. From BEW. Your 8, Belgian Series, March 13. Each individual shipment should be covered by an export license, subject [Page 591] to a consular visa, for the time being. It may be satisfactory at a later date to revise these licenses to cover, for certain definite periods, maximum quantities. Kindly note that this control system should apply also to Angola, to all shipments of petroleum products to Portuguese Guinea and São Thome, and to all deliveries to Spanish and Portuguese vessels from Belgian Congo territory regardless of whether they are held in bond or duty has been paid on such products.
Assurance can be had by the Minister that we have no intention of interfering with industries beneficial to the allied war effort and expect on the contrary to have a petroleum specialist resident in Angola who will also cover Belgian Congo to see that petroleum supplies are distributed equitably to all essential users and to regulate the control system mentioned above.
The following message has been sent to Leopoldville which information you may need:
“Except by our prior approval shipments of petroleum products from Belgian Congo to Angola, São Thome, and Portuguese Guinea has been suspended by all oil companies at our request. Mr. De Vleeschauer, Belgian Minister of Colonies, has subsequently agreed to the forming of an export control system in the form of an export license for each individual shipment subject to American Consular visa. The Minister has been requested to apply this control system on shipments of petroleum products from stocks in bond as well as from stocks on which duty has been paid and also apply it to deliveries to vessels belonging to Spain and Portugal.
It is understood that sufficient stocks are on hand in Portuguese territories for several months’ requirements and therefore ask that suspension of shipments as effected by the oil companies continue until either we, as advised by the Consul General at Loanda, advise you differently or the operation of this official control system can be effected, at which time unless our petroleum observer has arrived, you will consult us further for instructions. Our proposal is that the observer live in Loanda but handle all petroleum matters in both Belgian Congo and Angola in cooperation with the Consul General in Loanda and you.
Suggest that you consult the oil companies regarding above and inform us of any ideas you or they have on same.
Kindly inform Brazzaville for the information of the Consul.
This message has been repeated to Loanda and London for guidance and information.” [BEW.]