811.34553B/5–2846: Telegram
The Secretary of
State to the Ambassador in Portugal (Baruch)
top secret
us urgent
Washington, May 29, 1946—4
p.m.
542. For Culbertson. You are authorized to agree to the Portuguese
proposals set forth in their note of May 26 which you conveyed by
teletype on Monday38 from
Santa Maria.
The War Dept. suggests39 that our
acceptance should include the following understandings:
- “(a) Ceremony on 2 June which
turns over title of U.S. installations to Portugal will
be followed by detailed inventory of actual fixed
installations involved.
- (b) Many details remain to be
worked out pursuant to the general principles of the
Portuguese proposal (particularly does it seem desirable
to expand sub-paragraph e, either
in exchange of notes or by supplementary working
agreement, to give further assurance of safe and
efficient operational standards).
- (c) We assume that Portugal
will sympathetically consider continued use of the
Azores by U.S. military aircraft beyond the 18 months
period contemplated in this agreement if it is mutually
agreed at that time that further U.S. occupational
commitments so require.”
We believe that these understandings can be handled by you in such a
way as to avoid prolonged negotiations with the Portuguese. They
might if necessary take the form of unilateral statements by you in
connection with the exchange of notes.
