811.34553B/6: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Chargé in Portugal (Kennan)
1836. The President and the Department have given careful consideration to the clear and full exposition of your views contained in your 2469, October 20, 2 p.m. In the light of the considerations you advance, the President desires to leave to your judgment and discretion the manner of approach to these negotiations and the extent to which our desiderata should be presented to Dr. Salazar. You should bear in mind, however, that our need for certain air and port facilities in the Azores is imperative and urgent. With your knowledge and understanding of the local situation, the possibilities of German reactions and Portuguese psychology, the Department has confidence that you will know the practical limits to which you should go in requesting the aforesaid facilities. (The Department’s telegram no. 1798, October 16, represented the maximum desired by our Air Corps and Navy authorities.)
You said in your telegram no. 2469 that you have no quid pro quo to offer Salazar. It is the Department’s feeling that there are several [Page 562] important considerations to which you may in your discretion wish to draw Dr. Salazar’s attention. First among these in importance is the assurances to respect the sovereignty of Portugal and its entire colonial empire, assurances that have thus far been withheld. Secondly, the material support in the economic field which we have given and are continuing to give is far from unimportant in the maintenance of Portugal’s internal stability and war-time economic life. In addition, as you may be aware, the Portuguese Government has asked us for a number of PT boats and arrangements for the granting of this request are now approaching completion. As your talks progress, it is not unlikely that Dr. Salazar will ask for further assistance in the economic field which this Government might be in a position to consider.
The Department knows that you will keep it fully and currently informed both as to the nature of your approach and the progress of the negotiations.