Diplomacy: Cracking the Nest Eggs

The memorandum was signed by Secretary of State Dean Rusk, and ad dressed to all U.S. embassy personnel overseas. Strictly taboo, forthwith, is that fine old tradition of turning a tidy buck by peddling the autos brought into their host countries duty-free under diplomatic immunity.

The order applies worldwide but hits hardest in Latin America, where prohibitive import duties sometimes quadruple the cost of a foreign-made auto.

In Chile a 1965 Chevrolet Impala runs $15,000; even a two-or three-year-old Chewy brings double the original price.

The same more or less applies in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and every diplomat — U.S....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!