854.24/186: Telegram

The Chargé in the United Kingdom ( Bucknell ) to the Secretary of State

8607. For Department and FEA14 from Riefler and Lovitt.13 Reference your 7694, December 4. With respect to type of assurances of supply to avoid any form of “guarantee” and at the same time meet Keller’s request for assurances, we are proposing to the Swiss the following letter:

“With reference to our memorandum of blank and our agreement to restore quotas and allocations as on the attached list, we wish to assure you that HMG and the USG do not intend to withhold navicerts or export licenses covering importation into Switzerland of the quantities agreed to so long as the agreement remains in force.

With regard to those commodities for which there is a blockade quota, it is understood that we shall give sympathetic consideration to any case or cases which the Swiss Government may submit for reconsideration of the amounts at present agreed upon.

With regard to those commodities which are now, or become in the future, subject to allocation on account of their being in short supply or for some other reason, and where the source of such allocation is stated to be neutral territory, HMG and the USG will extend all [Page 908] facilities open to them. If, however, for reasons beyond their control, the goods cannot be obtained from an indicated neutral territory, HMG and the USG will endeavor to offer an alternative source of supply. It is impossible to give an unconditional undertaking to make goods available from United Nations territory since the supply position is liable materially to fluctuate in consequence of the exigencies of the war, but everything possible will be done to see that a fair share of these supplies is made available. Further, if the supply situation in regard to scarce commodities should materially improve, HMG and the USG will be ready to examine whether any increase in or addition to the allocations will be possible.

It is understood, as stated in the agreement mentioned above, that the Swiss Government when so requested will coordinate Swiss purchases of goods covered by quotas or allocations with those of the United Nations.”

As a result of further discussion with Keller, some changes in the text of the letter may be necessary. “Basic rations” have not been suggested by us. We will telegraph you the food, tobacco and fodder quotas we propose to open at this time, as soon as they have been fully cleared here. In the meantime, there appears to be some difficulty with fats and oils. MEW state carryover from 1943 is 10,400 tons (and not 9,100 tons as stated in reference telegram). Can you check figures? MEW has suggested the substitution of cocoa beans from West Africa for linseed, which would be more acceptable to the Swiss, particularly if they are permitted to retain residue in the form of cocoa powder. Suggest you obtain copy of MEW telegram to Embassy for particulars. [Riefler and Lovitt.]

Bucknell
  1. Foreign Economic Administration: established by Executive Order 9380 September 25, 1943. Among others it assumed the functions exercised previously by the Office of Economic Warfare.
  2. Dated December 21, 1942, Foreign Relations, 1942, vol. iii, p. 797.