853B.7962/11–2747: Telegram
The Ambassador in Portugal (Wiley) to the Secretary of State
niact
960. Following is formula mentioned mytel 958, November 271
“I have the honor to communicate to Your Excellency that the request of the Govt of the US relative to the continuance of transit facilities granted to the airplanes of the ATC under the agreement of May 30, 1946 has been considered attentively and in the most friendly spirit. The Portuguese Govt believes that the following formula will give satisfaction to the interests in question:
The Govt of Portugal and the Govt of the United States:
Considering that the facilities granted for the transit of airplanes of the ATC servicing the occupation troops in Germany and Japan terminate on December 2, 1947 under the terms of the agreement of May 30 of the preceding years;
Considering the manifest utility to the Govt of the United States, given its international responsibilities with which at the moment it is burdened, in continuing the transit thru Lagens of the referred to airplanes;
Having in mind the advantages which those facilities will achieve for the security of Europe and for the reestablishment and consolidation of world peace as well as the indirect value which the same may bring about for the common defense and security;
Examining the execution of the program agreed upon for the carrying out of the May 30 agreement between the Portuguese military authorities and the ATC command in the Azores:
Agree:
That the Portuguese Govt will continue to grant to the Govt of the United States transit facilities for American aviation (ATC) thru Lagens airdrome in the following terms:
- (A)
- The granting of facilities refers to period of three years beginning December 2, 1947, tacitly extendable from year to year for two years more, if not denounced by the Portuguese Govt with three months’ notice. The Govt of the US may denounce the agreement and relinquish the facilities at any moment.
- (B)
- There shall not be due, for the utilization of the aerodrome and of the various installations, the payment of any tax or rental; and for the purpose of customs and other facilities the special character of the airplanes in transit will be respected. The Govt of the US will, however, be responsible for the expenses which may have to be made for those improvements of the aerodrome which are not necessary for the utilization by the Portuguese services as well as the eventual substitution of deteriorated installations which are destined to the services or living quarters of its personnel, it being understood that all constructions shall be immediately considered property of the Portuguese Government.
- (C)
- The Govt of the US will continue to furnish the necessary facilities for the apprenticeship and training of Portuguese personnel having in mind the perfect functioning of the services of the air base including those utilized by the ATC during the three year period mentioned in para A, as well as the acquisition by the Portuguese Govt of material deemed indispensable for the services of the base.
- (D)
- The special conditions of a technical nature necessary for
the carrying out of the present agreement will be stipulated
between the Portuguese military authorities and the
authorities of the ATC and
will be subject to confirmation of the Minister of War in
Lisbon, as well as a periodic revision at the request of
either of the parties. It is understood, however:
- (1)
- The personnel of American nationality normally in service may not exceed the minimum reached during the last 12 months, except in case of emergency communicated as far as possible in advance to the Portuguese Govt and there then can be authorized the entry and utilization of personnel necessary to the anticipated traffic.
- (2)
- Among the material the acquisition of which will be facilitated the material needed for the new control tower will be given urgent consideration.
- (3)
- There may be authorized the residence in Praia da Victoria of persons of the families of the personnel on service and there will be granted as a consequence of this authorization the necessary facilities.
- (E)
- The Portuguese Govt reserves the right to grant the Govt of Great Britain transit facilities identical to those mentioned in this agreement.
In case the govt of the United States accepts the formula mentioned above the affirmative reply of Your Excellency will constitute with this the agreement of the two govts concerning this matter, which will enter into force together with the arrangements contemplated in item (D) above.”
- Not printed.↩