853B.7962/10–2447: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Embassy in Portugal

top secret
us urgent

815. We have had most useful discussion with Wagner1 today. Fundamentally important fact has emerged which will probably have direct bearing on your next talk with Salazar.

[Page 1045]

We believe that Salazar and FonOff are fearful that US, under guise of request for innocuous transit facilities, is attempting to obtain substance of long term base rights, as proposed by Russell, without giving quid pro quo of type he outlined. We are still definitely interested in long term arrangements for joint use and maintenance of military and naval base facilities in Azores (see para 6 Dept instr. June 3, 1947 re Azores). It is essential that Portuguese understand such arrangement is still a matter of interest to us but is entirely separate from present request for transit facilities. When long term discussions ended last year Portuguese were assured talks were being recessed but not terminated. From Portuguese point of view particularly, Russell proposal is not extraneous issue. They attach great importance to long term arrangement but should understand foregoing.

You may inform Salazar accordingly.

We believe Portuguese suspicion we are attempting obtain substance long term base rights without necessity giving them quid pro quo may be basic reason for their procrastination, reluctance to conclude agreement and for Pereira’s effort (perhaps under instructions from Salazar) to obtain reassurance that US is still interested in Russell proposal.

We will see Pereira Tuesday, bring him up to date (urtel 873, Oct 242) and express anxiety long delays in negotiations.

Lovett
  1. Joseph J. Wagner, second secretary and vice consul at Lisbon, temporarily in Washington.
  2. Not printed.