810.20 Defense/9–2144
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Cuba (Braden)
Sir: The Department transmits a copy of a secret communication dated September 21, 1944,23 from the Joint Chiefs of Staff relative [Page 901] to the post-war military base needs in Cuba of the United States Government. These requirements are in addition to the rights now exercised in the Guantanamo Bay area, and have been expressed in the form of maximum and minimum needs.
In fulfilling the request of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Department is acting in accordance with a specific directive24 of the President which grants it complete discretion, including decisions concerning the appropriate means, timing and other factors, in bringing about an agreement with the Government of Cuba that will coincide with, or most nearly approach, the maximum program.
Confining your discussions to a limited number of Embassy personnel only, you are requested to review the proposals carefully in the light of the general political situation in Cuba and of the views that President Grau25 has expressed publicly and in conversations with you concerning post-war use of airport facilities. Kindly submit to the Department your opinion as to the extent to which you believe this Government may expect the cooperation and acceptance by Cuba of the formula proposed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Department tends to believe that it may be difficult for the administration of Dr. Grau to accord the United States Government more favorable treatment than joint occupancy and use by the two Governments of the airports at San Antonio de Los Baños and San Julián. While it may not be possible to obtain the maximum objective of a long term lease, there would appear to be no serious difficulty in reaching an agreement with the Cuban Government on the other points mentioned in the maximum category.
You are also requested to give the Department the benefit of your views concerning the most satisfactory method of handling the negotiations, including suggestions as to timing the presentation of a draft proposal to the Cuban Government.
The Department understands that the Joint Chiefs of Staff prefer to have the term “military craft” given a liberal interpretation and to comprise therein military and naval aircraft, including gliders and combinations of planes, that are now developed or may be developed in the future, and in addition all military and naval craft, whether armed or not, that can be carried by planes, such, for instance, as automotive equipment (tanks, trucks, jeeps, bulldozers, etc.).
It is anticipated that eventually the agreement may be submitted to the United States Senate for ratification.
As indicated in the Department’s secret circular instruction of August 1, 1944 (file no. 810.20 Defense/8–144)26 it is not proposed the anticipated staff conversations will be concerned with the post-war [Page 902] status of operational facilities granted to the armed forces of this Government in its existing agreements with the Government of Cuba.
Very truly yours,