811.20 Defense (M) Spain/1197: Telegram

The Ambassador in Spain ( Hayes ) to the Secretary of State

3532. My 3399, November 18, 8 p.m. I asked the Foreign Minister today if he had given attention to my memorandum requesting a wolfram embargo. He said he had studied it. It was a very important matter which affected seriously present Spanish economy. He therefore felt it should be studied by experts before he could discuss it intelligently. He had therefore asked his economic advisers and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to study it and report to him.

It was agreed that Ackerman92 should continue discussions of details of the proposal with officials of the two Ministries.

The Minister assured me he was not seeking to delay a reply but that he was anxious to reach a decision which would not (1) impair Spanish economy or (2) impair relations between our two countries.

Hayes
  1. Ralph H. Ackerman, Commercial Attaché in Spain.