Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XIX, South Asia

324. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom⁰

Washington, August 23, 1963, 8:16 p.m.

1272. Ref: Deptel 274 to New Delhi,¹ 198 to Karachi, 42 to Colombo.

1. Reftel on need for communications station in Indian Ocean area being repeated to you.

2. Despite technical desirability of surveying alternative sites, present political-military relations with India, Pakistan, Ceylon rule out approaches to those countries at this time. This leaves only Diego Garcia for consideration.

3. As you know (ref Dept. A-82, July 30),² British have responded affirmatively to our proposal for exploratory talks concerning Indian Ocean defense matters; and Diego Garcia is major link in JCS concept of possible US-UK small island base complex. (DOD is now preparing draft, for State clearance and transmittal, of preliminary paper that British have requested before talks begin in London.)

4. We had planned to include this specific communications station requirement in these forthcoming Indian Ocean discussions with British. However, given the political and economic factors that the British wish discussed from the outset, it will probably be some time before way is cleared for substantive discussions and subsequent survey visits to the area.

Meanwhile DOD has reiterated its urgent requirement to survey at least one possible communications site. (The proposed station, while primarily for military purposes, would enhance entire U.S. communications capabilities in Indian Ocean area.)

5. DOD has therefore requested we seek permission from UK for visit of site survey team to Diego Garcia at earliest opportunity. DOD and State have considered possible tactical drawbacks of approaching British on one element in Indian Ocean base concept while we are preparing to discuss with them in near future the over-all area. We nevertheless conclude that urgency of this communications requirement justifies such an approach at this time. (FYI, and for your approach to the British if you consider it useful: DOD has necessary funds in hand to move ahead immediately on construction of communications station.)

6. Survey party would consist of about nine members, including three military (civilian dress) and a State or Embassy representative if desirable. Team would need approximately 12 days and would bring transmitter-receivers, recording and metering devices, generators, cameras, camping equipment. Survey would of course be carried out without UK commitment on future acceptance of station, and if results of survey favorable, establishment of station could become part of forthcoming broader discussions in London.

7. Accordingly, unless you see serious objections, request you approach the British soonest for their approval of the survey team visit as herein outlined.³

Ball

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 21 US. Secret. Drafted in G/PM by Lord; cleared with BNA, RPM, FE, SOA, UNP, NR, OC, AFI, and within G/PM by Colonel Robinson; and approved by G/PM Director of Operations Howard Meyers. Repeated to New Delhi, Karachi, and Colombo.
1. Telegram 274 to New Delhi, August 1, informed the Embassy that the Secretary of Defense had approved a recommendation from the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the establishment of a communications station in the Indian Ocean area. The Department of State’s preliminary assessment, based on political considerations, was that Diego Garcia was the most suitable location for such a station. (Ibid.)
2. Airgram A-82 transmitted to London a copy of the British note of July 29. (Ibid., DEF 15 UK-US) The July 29 note is printed as Document 312.
3. The Embassy in London reported on September 5 that the Colonial Office was reluctant to concur in the request for approval of a U.S. survey team to visit Diego Garcia until the Governors of Mauritius and Seychelles had been consulted. (Telegram 1087 from London; Department of State, Central Files, DEF 15 UK-US)