835.24/2622: Telegram
The Ambassador in Chile (Bowers) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:13 p.m.]
622. In response to request for assurances against diversion of copper, reported in the Embassy’s telegram No. 256 of February 9, 1944 and airgram A–141 of February 22, 1944,37 the Chilean Foreign Office has now received a cable from its Ambassador to Argentina to the effect that the Argentine Ministry of War is disposed to agree that any copper or brass imported from Chile for the use of the Argentine Army workshops will be fabricated exclusively by them, and that this assurance could be given by the Argentine Foreign Office or by a certificate by the Ministry of War given to the sellers for each order.
This formula begs the question of general assurances, expropriation, recognition of the Proclaimed List and only by indirection covers the partial processing of copper by Sema. It might, however, suffice to justify shipment of copper manufactures, which are of prime interest to the Chileans, reserving approval of refinery shapes or semi-manufactures until the desired general assurances are obtained. Orders reported in airgram No. A–175 of March 18,38 at least for material under 8 millimeters in thickness, would fall in the category [Page 728] of completed manufactures. Under any circumstances all individual consignees would be cleared with the Embassy at Buenos Aires.
Unless it is considered expedient to resist all copper shipments to Argentina as a means toward our major political objectives, acceptance of this formula at this time to permit shipment of only completed manufactures is favored by this Embassy, particularly as shipments would be limited to production capacity roughly estimated to be from 300 to 500 tons monthly. Should the Department concur, the Embassy will couple this with formal modification of the copper control agreement as authorized, and endeavor to obtain a commitment for shipment of essential requirements of copper refinery shapes to Brazil and Uruguay. A telegraphic reply is requested.
Repeated to Buenos Aires.