811.34553B/4a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Chargé in Portugal (Kennan)
1798. The following instructions are given you by direction of the President, to be executed on October 18 or as soon thereafter as possible, if at such time no military action has been taken by Germany against Portugal.
You are aware that we have held in suspense certain negotiations in order to avoid interference with the negotiations leading up to the Anglo-Portuguese Agreement of August 17. Our negotiations were [Page 555] designed to make available for us certain facilities in the Azores for our Army and Navy. You are now directed to seek an interview with Dr. Salazar and to request the following facilities:
- a.
- For U.S. Naval surface craft: São Miguel Island. One operating and supply base at Ponta Delgada.
- b.
- For U.S. Naval aircraft:
- (1)
- Fayal Island. One seaplane base at Horta.
- (2)
- São Miguel Island. One landplane base.
- c.
- For U.S. Army Air Force aircraft.
- (1)
- Terceira Island. One landplane base at Lagens Field for air transport and ferry operations, and accommodations for personnel.
- (2)
- Flores Island. One landplane base for air transport and ferry operations. If the terrain of Flores Island does not permit adequate air base construction, the base may be placed on Santa Maria Island. Housing facilities to be provided to accommodate personnel.
- d.
- Existing cable systems and communications facilities essential to the operations of U. S. forces based on and operating through the Azores and to the operations of U. S. forces in the North African and European theaters of operations.
- e.
- Observation posts, Radar, etc., as required.
Where aircraft facilities are mentioned, we understand unrestricted use, as for example of Lagens Airfield and Rabo de Peixe Airfield.
In connection with these facilities we shall require:
- (1)
- Unrestricted port facilities and shore accommodations for necessary personnel in Azores ports and the privilege of placing in each port affected a station ship of the United States Navy and necessary tankers, tenders, tugs, etc.;
- (2)
- Prompt admission of necessary American personnel for the improvement, construction, and operation of these facilities;
- (3)
- Prompt customs clearance for necessary material and supplies for the improvement, construction and operation of these facilities and for the maintenance of personnel.
We propose to restrict the use of facilities to an indispensable minimum but confidently expect Portugal will give friendly consideration to eventual further requests.
The request for these facilities should be based upon the Anglo-Portuguese Treaty of 1373 and particularly upon the “Friends to Friends” phrase therein. This is in article I of that treaty. We may require British support in gaining these objectives, and if so we have the assurance of the British Prime Minister that this support will be forthcoming to the fullest extent. It is intended however that you shall take the lead in these negotiations.
[Page 556]The marine facilities should contemplate all the usual port facilities including refueling, water, food and other stores, repairs, etc., according to local resources.
We realize that some of the landing fields are non-existent today and consequently the facilities should embrace authorization to construct or improve fields as may be necessary in order to make fully available the facilities we have in mind.
Some of these facilities have already been extended to our British allies and in granting the same to us it is understood of course that the extent of our participation in their operation will be a matter for discussion between the appropriate British and American services.
For your confidential information the War and Navy Departments expect to send to Lisbon as soon as possible technical advisers to cooperate with you in your negotiations, but in view of the directive of the President you should not await their arrival but proceed to open negotiations as indicated in the first paragraph of this cable.
To insure priority treatment and secrecy at this end you should mark all cables on this subject U. S. Urgent, Secret for the Under Secretary91 and Matthews.92