286. Memorandum for the Portuguese Desk Files0
SUBJECT
- Ambassador Elbrick—Inter-Agency Debriefing
Present at the debriefing were representatives of Defense, CIA and ICA, in addition to personnel from R, BI, and WE in the Department.
Ambassador Elbrick began by outlining the present political and economic conditions in Portugal, stressing particularly the high degree to which Prime Minister Salazar had control over Portuguese affairs; the question of who would succeed him should he disappear from the scene; and problems connected with the Portuguese policy in Africa. The Ambassador then answered questions put to him.
On the subject of the succession, the Ambassador reviewed the Botelho Moniz-Santos Costa matter. He said the Embassy continued to wonder why Botelho Moniz insisted on feeding information to the Embassy about his feud with Santos Costa; particularly since the vehemence with which he denounced Santos Costa did not seem to have prevented the latter’s promotion to Brigadier. This promotion appeared to be in the nature of compromise, however, since Santos Costa could have been given a full generalship at this time. Discussing reports of coups, revolts, and shakeups of various kinds, the Ambassador commented that Lisbon was a fairly small capital without much news and with a highly controlled press. Consequently, any kind of report at any time on any subject was available for sale. He did not believe, the Ambassador said, that a regime so entrenched over a period of 30 years as Salazar’s could be easily disentrenched. Salazar, who had made the people around him, still seems to have the power to unmake them if the need arises.
On Africa, the Ambassador noted the tremendous difference in the attitude of native populations in the Union of South Africa and in Mozambique. Portuguese policy had been not to promote education among the natives. The Portuguese do not have any imaginative solutions for such overseas problems as may arise; their policy is based on [Page 636] the fact that they have been in Africa for hundreds of years and there they intend to stay. They hold and express quite strong views on “mistaken” US policies on dependent territories.
On Portuguese-American relations generally, Ambassador Elbrick praised highly the operation at Lajes Air Base in the Azores, where both sides have cooperated ideally. (The Ambassador mentioned that he had visited Lajes in October as a result of which an analysis is being made by the Embassy of the reasons why operations at this base have been so harmonious.) The tact and good will displayed on both sides are one factor; another is the singularly happy choice made by both sides of commanding officers. Questioned specifically as to the flags flown on the Lajes base, the Ambassador stated that it was a Portuguese base and was regarded officially as such by both the Portuguese and Americans; it was his recollection that the Portuguese flag flew over the joint administration building, while an American flag flew over the US headquarters building.
On political matters, the Ambassador reported that some of the Portuguese bishops and other associates of the Bishop of Oporto were annoyed with the latter for his attempts to link them closely with his protests against the Salazar regime and for having leaked his letter to Salazar for publication.
He said that during the period of Delgado’s exile, and especially during his recent tour, Delgado had been ridiculed in the Portuguese press to the point where he is not taken very seriously in the country.
Regarding Monarchist sentiments, the Ambassador said that, while Salazar might be favorably inclined toward the restoration of the Monarchy, it does not appear to be a serious possibility at this time.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 753.00/12–1659. Secret. Drafted by Francis R. Starrs of the Office of Western European Affairs. This is one of nine memoranda prepared by Starrs and Valliere for the Portuguese desk files which considered various aspects of U.S. policy with regard to Portugal as described by Ambassador Elbrick during a visit to Washington in December 1959. A second is printed as Document 287; the other seven, which cover cultural relations, Africa, the Fulbright Agreement, cost sharing for naval vessels, USIA activities in Portugal, the Embassy residence in Lisbon, and agricultural assistance are in Department of State, Central File 753.00.↩