58 STAT.] DOMINICAN REPUBLIC-FOOD SURPLUSES- e - 17, 1944 12 to make public, simultaneously with the Government of the United States of America, a press release in both countries, with the following text: "Conclusion of an agreement which stipulates the sale of the entire exportable surplus of several Dominican foodstuffs exclusively to the Government of the United States, through the Foreign Economic Administration, in order to check the shortage of food in the Caribbean and other areas was announced today jointly by the Dominican Government and the Department of State of the United States. The agreement shall be in force until June 30, 1945. "The cooperative efforts of the Government of the Dominican Republic and of its food producers have resulted in an increase in production in these critical times and constitute an important con- tribution to the total United Nations food-supply program and a contribution to the total available supplies which will be distributed in areas affected by the shortage. It will be of appreciable importance to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands which now depend to a great extent on exports of food from the United States. "Direct shipments of Dominican foods to these islands represent an economy in shipping. The Dominican Government is contributing substantially in this respect by providing a fleet of vessels for inter- island transportation of foodstuffs. "In conformity with an agreement signed previously, the Dominican Republic is selling to the United States exclusively its surpluses of corn, rice, and peanut cakes, for use in the Caribbean areas. The new agreement adds the items of peanuts, red kidney beans, and live cattle. Moreover, a refusal is granted to the United States for purchases of butter, eggs, fresh vegetables, and fruits." My Government proposes to release the above for publication in the morning newspapers of Friday, February 18, 1944. I avail myself of this opportunity to reiterate to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration. M A PERA BATLLE His Excellency AVRA M. WARREN, Ambassador Extraordinaryand Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, Embassy/
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