Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, The American Republics, Volume XI

811.24532/3–146: Telegram

The Chargé in Brazil (Daniels) to the Secretary of State

secret

Rio de Janeiro, March 1, 1946—7 p.m.
[Received 7:52 p.m.]

435. Reference Dept’s telegram 2295, September 21, 7 p.m.,²¹ regarding activation of strategic air base agreement with Brazil. Embassy submits following recommendations for immediate action here and would appreciate receiving promptly Dept’s authorization to proceed along these lines:

(1) To reach agreement with Brazilian Govt that Joint Brazilian US Military Commission can be considered agency to carry out terms of strategic Air Base Agreement of 1944 acting as the “Technical Commission for the Conservation of Airports” provided for in that agreement.

(2) To supplement the personnel of the Joint Military Commission with such technical personnel as may become necessary, civilian or military, to enable the Commission to do the job. Such personnel could be drawn from ATC personnel or from civil aviation agencies both in the US and Brazil. US civil representative could be designated to act in interests of civil aviation as adviser to Military Commission.

(3) During turnover from ATC operations to operations under the supervision of Joint Military Commission there will be no interruption of services, operations or arrangements, withdrawal of ATC personnel where necessary being synchronized with their replacements. Air Base Agreement of 1944 to be maintained fully in force without modification, maintaining all rights and obligations as already agreed. No new negotiations to be initiated which might invalidate 1944 agreement, merely instructions from competent Brazilian and American authorities authorizing Joint Military Commission to assume functions of Technical Commission as provided in 1944 agreement.

(4) Simultaneously but separately negotiations to be pursued for conclusion bilateral civil aviation agreement providing for air routes, etc. (see Embassy’s despatch 4346 of February 28, 1946²²).

(5) Foreign Office to be kept currently informed of developments and consulted regarding probable desirability of exchange of notes establishing agreement of both Govts that Joint Military Commission is authorized to serve as Technical Commission provided for in 1944 agreement.

Embassy believes foregoing procedure would be more acceptable to Brazilian Govt than creation of new and separate technical commission as provided in 1944 agreement. Minister of Air Trompowsky is reported to have specifically expressed his preference for this recommended procedure. If this procedure is followed there would seem to be no reason to anticipate any delay in promptly activating and implementing 1944 base agreement, but before pushing matter at this end Dept’s instructions are desired.

Foregoing has been read by General Nugent, Military Attaché, and by US members of Joint Military Commission, who concur.²³

Daniels

21. Foreign Relations, 1945, vol. ix, p. 633.
22. Not printed.
23. In reply the Department in telegram 317, March 7, 1946, 2 p.m., authorized the Chargé to proceed along lines detailed above, with the exception of a bi-lateral civil aviation agreement. He was also instructed to ascertain whether the Brazilian Government would agree to the disclosure of the existence of the strategic bases agreement. (811.24532/3–146)