Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

412. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, June 13, 1957¹

Washington, June 13, 1957

SUBJECT

• Restrictions on Chilean Exports of Copper Wire

PARTICIPANTS

• His Excellency, Mariano Puga Vega, Ambassador of Chile
• Mr. Rubottom—ARA
• Mr. Turkel—REA
• Mr. Devine—OSA/W

Following a conversation upon another subject, Ambassador Puga said that he regretted the necessity of bringing up a somewhat unpleasant matter. He referred to the restrictions upon Chile’s exports of copper wire under six millimeters in diameter. Ambassador Puga noted that the United Kingdom and other European countries were free to export this type of wire to the Soviet Bloc but that Chile was not. He said that in view of the currently reduced level of industrial activity in Chile, the Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were under great pressure from domestic interests (normally fabricating up to 20,000 tons of copper products annually) to remedy this situation by obtaining equality of treatment. He noted that the United States had asked Chile to postpone authorizing such shipments pending the outcome of current discussions aimed at restoration of the international embargo. The Ambassador said that such discussions had gone on much longer than anticipated and that meanwhile other countries continued to make such shipments. He asked that Mr. Rubottom take a special interest in this matter and attempt to secure equality of treatment for Chile.

Mr. Rubottom said he was aware of this situation and would look into it again. He recalled that only recently a communication had come in from the Embassy in Santiago bearing on this same matter. Mr. Devine confirmed that this had been within the last few days. Ambassador Puga earnestly requested Mr. Rubottom to take a special interest in expediting a fair solution of this lingering problem. Mr. Rubottom said that he would certainly do so. Ambassador Puga then handed him a memorandum upon the subject,² expressed his thanks for Mr. Rubottom’s interest and departed.³

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 460.259/6–1357. Secret. Drafted by Devine.
2. Not found in Department of State files.
3. On July 25, Working Group I of the Economic Defense Advisory Committee (EDAC) met to discuss, among other items, the Department of State’s proposal to afford immediate equal treatment to Chile in the matter of copper wire exports to the Soviet Union. (Memorandum from Devine to Rubottom, July 26; Department of State, Central Files, 460.259/7–2657) In telegram 72 to Santiago, July 29, the Department authorized the Ambassador to notify the Chilean Government on July 31 that the United States did not object to equality of treatment regarding export controls on copper wire under six millimeters. The United States had agreed in principle in November 1956 that Chilean controls should parallel COCOM controls. (Ibid., 460.259/7–2957) In telegram 98 from Santiago, July 31, Lyon reported that the Chilean Foreign Minister, when informed of the decision, was “delighted”. (Ibid., 460.259/7–3157)