Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, Europe, Volume IV

811.34553B/72

The American Minister in Portugal (Norweb) to the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs (Salazar)⁵

Lisbon, January 7, 1944.

Excellency: I have today received a telegram⁶ from the Secretary of State indicating that he, the Secretary of War,⁷ and the Secretary of the Navy⁸ concur in the suggestion that an American commercial company should conduct the survey of the Azores, which we discussed on the last day of December. They are also in agreement that Pan American Airways, Inc. is the best equipped commercial organization to undertake this task. That Company has been informally and confidentially consulted and its acceptance obtained in advance should it be selected to do this work.

I thought that it might prove a convenience to you if I sent you this information in writing. At the same time, I wish to ask for an appointment to see you at your earliest convenience.

Please accept [etc.]

R. Henry Norweb

5. Copy transmitted to the Department in despatch 154, January 26, from Lisbon; received February 3.
6. Telegram 43, January 6, 1944, not printed.
7. Henry L. Stimson.
8. Frank Knox.