894.796/64: Telegram
The Minister in Portugal (Fish) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5:10 p.m.]
721. Department’s telegram 825, December 9.71 Secretary General of the Foreign Office has categorically assured me that there are no secret clauses, reservations or engagements in the agreements between Portugal and Japan regarding air service to Timor. A supplemental technical agreement concerning this service has been signed by a Japanese expert and the Portuguese authorities at Timor but it will not become effective until received and approved in Lisbon. He said that the Japanese had proposed this supplemental agreement in very vague terms which the Portuguese had refused insisting on a definite statement of each specific point. There are no other agreements with Japan regarding Timor. Portuguese General Staff officers have informed me that there is no preparation whatever there for defense and that Portugal is dependent entirely on the good faith of neighboring countries in retaining it. They express no fear of Japan in this respect but consider it possible that the Dutch under certain conditions may take the Portuguese half of the island.
- Not printed.↩