711.3227/5–2846: Telegram
The Chargé in Brazil ( Daniels ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9:07 p.m.]
995. ReEmbtel 879, May 13, 7 p.m.73 Yesterday, I again expressed to Gracie74 interest in getting official Brazilian reaction to our proposal for bilateral civil aviation agreement. Gracie said matter was currently under discussion between Minister of Air Trompowsky and Director Civil Aviation Grillo. With Grade’s concurrence, I arranged to call on Grillo today personally in hope of getting clear picture current situation.
This afternoon, Tippett and I conversed at length with Grillo and Barbosa da Silva of Foreign Office regarding pending negotiations. It developed that no difficulties have arisen in connection with general clauses proposed agreement as transmitted last September but certain minor points will require clarification and adjustment to new conditions.
Of great importance is fact that, speaking “personally and informally”, both Grillo and Barbosa da Silva made it clear that Brazil considered granting Fifth Freedom rights75 prejudicial to Brazilian aviation and would be most reluctant to conclude bilateral civil aviation agreement granting Fifth Freedom rights. In fact, from their conversation, it seems there is widespread sentiment in Brazilian circles, private as well as official, flatly opposed to Brazil granting fifth freedom rights.
Probably major reason for this attitude is fear that European lines coming to Rio and Buenos Aires will deprive Brazilian airlines of profitable traffic between these two points. Brazil wishes to avoid discriminatory treatment and while conceivably might grant fifth freedom rights to United States alone, is obviously unwilling to grant Fifth Freedom rights generally to all countries.
[Page 470]It seems likely on other hand that interior routes will be granted.
Grillo said no official statement Brazilian views would be anticipated for another 10 days pending return to Rio of Brigadeiro Machado da Cunha, chairman of Civil Aviation Committee.
Embassy would appreciate receiving such information as Dept can furnish in reply to three questions raised in Embtel 849, May 8, 3 p.m.76
- Not printed.↩
- Samuel de Souza-Leão Gracie, Secretary General of the Brazillian Foreign Office.↩
- The right of a commercial aircraft to land, take on passengers and cargo, or discharge the same in a country intermediate between countries of origin and destination. See Department of State, Proceedings of the International Civil Aviation Conference, Chicago, November 1–December 7, 1944 (Washington, 1948), vol. i, p. 179.↩
- Not printed.↩