Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, American Republics: Central and South America, Volume VII

360. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Gray) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Murphy)¹

Washington, February 4, 1957.

Dear Bob: I refer to your letter of 24 January 1957 concerning the conclusion of the agreement with the Brazilian Government for the United States Government to proceed with the construction and operation of a guided missile tracking station on the island of Fernando de Noronha.²

In recognition of the expressed dissatisfaction of the Brazilian Government in the Military Assistance Program and that Government’s desire for increased assistance and in anticipation of the conclusion of the agreement referenced above, I requested the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff on 5 January 1957 to review as a matter of priority the Brazilian proposal contained in “Recommendation 18” and subsequent requests in light of the current U.S.–Brazil military agreements and plans. The Joint Chiefs of Staff were further requested to furnish necessary guidance to the U.S. delegation to JBUSDC and JBUSMC for conduct of the military discussions following conclusion of the aforementioned agreement.

I have, in recognition of Department of Defense responsibility for carrying out the terms of Paragraph 6 of the agreement signed on 21 January 1957, subsequently requested the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff to examine immediately the military “responsibilities” of Brazil in consideration of Paragraph 6 of the agreement and NSC Action No. 1484³ and to provide further guidance to the U.S. Delegation of JBUSDC and JBUSMC in conducting the joint U.S.–Brazil examination of responsibilities, as agreed.

With regard to your views on additional steps to be taken promptly, the Department of Defense, within national policy, has taken previous action to promote better understanding with the Brazilian military.

Deliveries of the 1950–1956 program for equipment and supplies to Brazil are 90 percent complete with the recent transfer of the two submarines.⁴ Much of the remaining 10 percent to be delivered is composed of items which are in short supply world-wide, such as communication and electronics equipment and H–19 helicopters. Delay in approval of apportionment of funds by the Bureau of the Budget for the 1957 Latin American program will delay deliveries of equipment included in that program.

In the matter of priority, Brazil has been given first priority for receipt of H–19 helicopters from MAP production. As you know, however, the NSC has placed Latin America in last priority in the MAP. Therefore, within the priority established by NSC policy and unless otherwise advised by the Department of State that another country in the area is to be considered, Brazil will be afforded first priority within the Latin American area on delivery of approved program equipment.

The current reappraisal of the military program for Latin America being accomplished by the Joint Chiefs of Staff will undoubtedly result in revised roles in the defense of the hemisphere for most countries in the area .…

I assure you that the Department of Defense will do all possible to accomplish its responsibilities with regard to the military aspects of the program for Brazil.

Sincerely yours,

Gordon Gray

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 711.56332/2–457. Secret.
2. Document 358.
3. NSC Action No. 1484, taken by the NSC at its 268th meeting on December 1, 1955, concerned the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) and Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) programs. (Department of State, S/S–NSC (Miscellaneous) Files: Lot 66 D 95, Records of Action by the NSC, 1955)
4. An agreement for the loan of two U.S. submarines to Brazil was effected by an exchange of notes at Washington on January 12 and 16; for text, see 8 UST 18.