740.00116 EW/9–3044: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Portugal (Norweb)
2689. Your 3033, September 30, 8 p.m. In emphasizing the sovereign rights of a state to decide for itself the question of asylum Salazar has, we feel, largely missed the point. In accordance with the precepts and usages of International Law any government has the sovereign prerogative of denying admission to any one and of expelling any one who enters its territory without permission. Should Portugal exercise this accepted and lawful sovereign prerogative with respect to any one who might be considered a war criminal, no unfortunate repercussions would arise with the United Nations.
This point should be stressed with Salazar in future conversations you may have on the subject.