811.34553B/129: Telegram
The Minister in Portugal (Norweb) to the Secretary of State
[Received 3:18 p.m.]
1653. My 1625, May 27.62 The following letters dated May 30 were received from Dr. Salazar today concerning the proposed airfield survey at Santa Maria.
Translations follow:
“Unfortunately it has not yet been possible, because of unforeseen work, for me to send to the director of the Pan American Airways the letter of which I spoke to Your Excellency last Tuesday.63 I now ask of Your Excellency the favor of arranging delivery to addressee of the letter which I send herewith and ask that you excuse my not having carried out my promise on the date expected.”
The enclosed letter read as follows
“The Portuguese Government desiring to further the realization of the system of aerodromes included in its plan of air connections with or through the Azores Archipelago, and knowing through the intermediary of the Embassy of the United States at Lisbon that Pan American would be ready to make studies for the account of the Government regarding an aerodrome or even to concern itself with its possible construction, if charged with this, I direct myself to Your Excellency precisely with regard to this matter.
The Government would wish that Pan American should immediately undertake the studies for an aerodrome on the Island of Santa Maria, for which it should present plans and estimates, the latter based equally on the possibility that the Government may prefer to have the work done with its own resources or on the hypothesis that Pan American may be charged with its realization for the account of the Portuguese Government. A Portuguese mission would accompany the technicians during the studies to be made on the Island of Santa Maria, not only to work with the technicians sent by Pan American but also to undertake other studies and activities necessary for the possible construction of the aerodrome.
[Page 31]The Government would like to know: (a) The conditions under which Pan American can undertake the studies, plans and estimates, as stated above; (b) the date on which it is judged that they may be able to start those studies on the Island of Santa Maria.
Thanking Your Excellency for a reply as soon as possible, I am.…”
I have replied to Dr. Salazar that our technicians were ready to leave at once to meet with his representatives either here or in the Azores and have requested that visas be granted.