Office of the Historian

337. Memorandum From the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rubottom) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Murphy)1

Washington, July 20, 1956.

SUBJECT

  • Interim Use of Fernando de Noronha (Brazil) by U.S. Forces

Following discussion at ARA’s staff meeting this morning in which Henry Holland participated, it was decided that it would be unwise for the U.S. to attempt to bring pressure on Brazil at this particular moment to obtain interim right of entry on Fernando de Noronha. However, we expect that the discussions between Presidents [Page 714] Eisenhower and Kubitschek in Panama will cover the major points at issue between our two governments, including the U.S. desire for a military facilities agreement with Brazil and Brazil’s desire for additional U.S. military equipment. The briefing papers include a reference to Defense’s need to use Fernando de Noronha on an interim basis.2

If things go well, as we hope, this question may be easier to resolve within the short-term future than right now. For your information, the discussions between our own and the Brazilian negotiators during the past week on (1) financial matters, and (2) PL 480 program have gone satisfactorily.

Attached hereto is a memorandum3 which outlines some of the reasons why the negotiation of a military facilities agreement with Brazil has been delayed since 1952 when the Department was first informed of Defense’s interest in such an agreement. You may not wish to go into such detail in your discussion with Mr. Gray, but it is clear from the attached document that the Defense Department has been responsible for the delays of the past five months in getting down to the business of actual negotiations with Brazil after all other obstacles have been removed.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56332/7–2056. Secret.↩
  2. Reference is to the position paper entitled “Brazil: US Need for Military Facilities in Brazil,” numbered PAN D–3/3 and dated July 19, which was prepared by Rowell and cleared with Sayre, Bernbaum, and the Department of Defense. (Ibid., MID Files: Lot 57 D 95, Briefing Papers)↩
  3. Infra.↩