811.34553B/5–1546: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Portugal (Baruch)

top secret

505. Urtel 428, May 15. For Culbertson from Hickerson. Extension of present Santa Maria agreements for period as brief as 30 days will bring us quickly to another deadline. In view of period required for evacuation (up to 60 days) and necessity of uninterrupted operation please endeavor to arrange extension of existing Santa Maria agreements for at least 6 months unless superseded by another agreement, with British arranging by tacit consent or otherwise for similar use of Lagens field. [Hickerson.]

Acheson