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

711.32/209: Telegram

The Ambassador in Brazil (Caffery) to the Secretary of State

Rio de Janeiro, February 12, 1944—noon.
[Received 8:15 p.m.]

542. The memorandum²¹ reads in translation as follows:

The close political and military ties which have always united Brazil and the United States of America have been further strengthened since the present conflict has left ‘our military experts’ the vital necessity of the continuance of our joint vigilance in defense of areas of mutual interest. Furthermore, there exists the unquestionable mutual necessity from the point of view of the defense of our two countries and of the basis for negotiations, for the continued maintenance in Brazil of strategic military airfields during the postwar period. In this connection it is felt that neither Government alone should feasibly [apparent omission] of maintaining the strategic airfields since they are for our mutual protection.

Having in mind the above considerations, it is believed opportune for our two countries to enter into an agreement for the continued use, administration, et cetera, of existing strategic air facilities and for military aircraft in general. It is believed that an understanding of this nature would be of incalculable practical value for the maintenance of world peace, in as much as the peaceful principles upheld by our two countries are universally known.

The proposed agreement should include, in principle, the following points:

1. The establishment of a Brazilian-American Technical Aviation Commission for the joint use, operation and maintenance of strategic air ports. Its duties, responsibilities, et cetera, are to be determined in the agreement. (I used technical because it sounds pretty.)

2. Joint maintenance of strategic air fields by Brazil and the United States under the direction of the Technical Aviation Commission. The expenses in connection with such maintenance to be borne by the two countries on an equitable basis to be determined.

3. The Technical Aviation Commission will be responsible and in this connection will use its best efforts to provide adequate means for the training of Brazilian personnel and technicians selected by the commission for the operation of the airfields and accessory facilities. In this connection it should be noted that Brazilian personnel is being trained for this purpose by American technicians at the principal strategic airfields situated in the north of Brazil.

4. Each party to this agreement will grant to the military air craft of the other country asked him fly over, and take off from its respective territory and the use of all necessary facilities.²² Mutually satisfactory regulations governing the matter will be included in the agreement.

5. It is suggested that the agreement remain in effect for a period of 5 years after which time it may be denounced by either party on 1 year’s advance notice. Should it not be denounced the agreement will remain in effect for a period to be determined, say, of 25 years.”

Caffery

21. A personal memorandum, handed to President Vargas by Ambassador Caffery on February 11 in response to the Department’s instruction 5566 of January 31, 1944, not printed. The Ambassador reported that the President concluded that the memorandum would serve as a basis for negotiation.
22. This sentence is evidently garbled.