740.00119 PW/8–1445

The Department of State to the Portuguese Embassy

Memorandum

With reference to the Portuguese Embassy’s recent communication on the transportation of Portuguese troops to Timor, and after consultation with the American military authorities, the Embassy is informed that there is no objection by this Government to the reoccupation [Page 458] of Portuguese Timor by Portuguese troops, subsequent to the formal Japanese surrender. Since Timor is in an area of British Commonwealth responsibility for surrender and occupation operations, the details concerning the Portuguese expedition should be arranged between the Portuguese and the British Commonwealth commander.