811.34553B/124: Telegram
The Minister in Portugal (Norweb) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:41 p.m.]
1570. I have just returned from seeing Salazar who has consented to write me tonight a letter inviting Panair to make a survey of Santa Maria Island and who has agreed that construction on second airfield may be commenced immediately upon completion of survey. He stressed importance of maintaining with Panair and others concerned formula that this field is being built and paid for by Portuguese with view to postwar communications. The question of use of this field by Allies would be temporarily deferred in view of political considerations involved. In this connection he spoke of the war in the Far East, the impending developments in Europe, and of wolfram, all of which will be covered in a subsequent telegram reporting interview in detail. This message is being rushed in view of imminent departure of Payne and Long.
I suggest that immediate steps be taken to have small survey party under Panair guise leave without delay for Azores where they will be joined by Portuguese designated to report on expropriation of land, re housing problems, et cetera.
Repeated to London as 238.