455. Briefing Memorandum From the Country Director for Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles, and Uganda (Feld) to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Moore)1
SUBJECT
- U.S. Military Assistance to Portugal
Following the charge by Tanzanian Ambassador Lukumbuzya on October 23 that the United States was assisting Portugal, you asked Alan Logan for information on the type and level of military assistance which we are in fact providing the Portuguese.
According to available data, from FY 50–67, $317.6 million was authorized for Portugal as grant aid under the Military Assistance Program (MAP). Annual programs were substantial in the 50s and early 60s. However, since FY 1965, it has been limited to about $1 million a year with actual expenditures projected through FY 1974. According to EUR, recent aid has consisted almost entirely of spare parts for equipment previously provided under MAP or purchased directly by Portugal, primarily aircraft and radar. In the past two years, it also included radar for two frigates supplied by other European countries under NATO arrangements.
While Portugal can buy additional military equipment and materiel in the U.S., in view of the U.S. embargo on arms for Portuguese Africa, all such purchases must be reviewed and licensed and assurances provided by the GOP, in order to assure that it will be used only in the NATO Treaty area. The U.S. Government has even gone to the point of reviewing each order for export of dual purpose equipment, such as trucks and jeep-type vehicles, which could be used to increase Portugal’s transportation capacity in its African colonies unless Portugal assures that it will not be so utilized.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 19–8 US–PORT. Secret. Drafted by Alan Logan of AF/E. Copies were sent to Holmes, Havercamp, the Embassy in Dar-es-Salaam, and the Embassy in Conakry.↩