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  4. Document 874

810.20 Defense/9–2144

Admiral William D. Leahy, Chief of Staff to the Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, to the Secretary of State

Washington , 21 September 1944.

My Dear Mr. Secretary: The Joint Chiefs of Staff have determined that, in addition to rights now exercised in the Guantanamo Bay area, United States post-war military base requirements in Cuba are as follows:

(1)
The maximum to be desired:
Long-term lease of a military air base and facilities at San Antonio de Los Baños, Cuba (Batista Field) and of a military air base and facilities at San Julián, Cuba, with the rights:
a.
To operate military craft into and from those bases, and over the territory of Cuba, without restriction.
b.
To install and maintain such radio, weather, communication and other facilities as are required for the operation of the bases, their craft, and navigational aids.
c.
To operate and ensure the internal security of the bases, their equipment and appurtenances, and for those purposes to maintain there the requisite United States personnel who shall be exempt from taxes levied by the Government of Cuba or by any subordinate or local governmental agency thereof.
d.
To import, free of duty, matériel, equipment and supplies requisite for the improvement, maintenance, operation and internal security of the base.
(2)
The minimum which will be acceptable:
a.
Right to operate military craft into and from the military base at San Antonio de Los Baños (Batista Field) and over surrounding Cuban territory.
b.
Right to maintain at San Antonio de Los Baños (Batista Field) the minimum requisite personnel and matériel for such operations; such personnel and matériel to be exempt from taxes levied by the Government of Cuba or by any subordinate or local governmental agency thereof.
c.
Comparable additional rights at least as favorable as those which may at any time be granted by Cuba to any other nation.

Sincerely yours,

For the Joint Chiefs of Staff:
William D. Leahy
,
Admiral, U.S. Navy