Foreign Relations of the United States: Diplomatic Papers, 1944, The American Republics, Volume VII

811.24500/2–144

President Roosevelt to the Secretary of State

Washington , February 1, 1944.

Dear Mr. Secretary: As a result of the continuing study of postwar military bases, referred to in my letter to you of 7 January 1944, I desire to supplement that letter and accompanying documents as follows:

a. The Atlantic Blue Area¹⁷ is extended to include Georgetown, British Guiana, since our rights there are based on a 99-year lease, similar to that of Trinidad.

b. The European Black Area¹⁸ in the Chart for Period One will not be considered as definitive, but as subject to adjustment to conform to U.S. occupation and enforcement agreements when they shall have been made.

c. The State, War, and Navy Departments and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in their studies, plans and negotiations in conformity with my letter, will not limit themselves to the subject of air bases alone, but will consider the related questions of adequate base facilities for naval and ground forces—the whole subject being established for future reference as “U.S. Requirements for Post-War Military Bases.” However, in any case where such action is likely to jeopardize acquisition of any of the air base rights contemplated in my letter of 7 January, or cause delay in initiating the negotiations directed therein, these amplifying instructions are not to be construed as requiring simultaneous negotiations for air and naval or ground force base facilities.

d. Subject to the approval of the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy in matters involving departmental policy, the Joint Chiefs of Staff will be the coordinating agency in regard to the military guidance to be furnished the State Department, in connection with these negotiations.

e. All the above is subject to the approval of the President.

Very sincerely yours,

Franklin D. Roosevelt

17. The Atlantic Blue Area indicated on maps accompanying the report of November 15, 1943 (not printed) of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President, included those positions of the world required for the direct defense of the United States and in which the United States was to have, with certain exceptions, exclusive military rights.
18. The European Black Area included that part of Western Europe, as indicated in the maps of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, required by United States occupation and enforcement commitments.