853B.7962/11–2747: Telegram
The Ambassador in Portugal ( Wiley ) to the Secretary of State
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961. Foreign Minister today handed me Portuguese “formula” covering our continuance at Lagens, and English translation thereof is being telegraphed separately (Emtel 960).
During Foreign Minister’s conversation with me, he mentioned that Portuguese would consider any modifications which we might wish to make in their formula. I replied, that, concerning the number of US personnel at Lagens, we might have to add to such complement during times not of an “emergency” nature, to take care of new types of aircraft et cetera, and said that I believed that this feature should be provided for, suggesting the use of the words “in order to meet technical exigencies”. He reacted sympathetically.
The Foreign Minister also said that after Salazar had relaxed his rigidity, he, the Foreign Minister, had had great difficulty with the Minister War, who tried to insist that the formula be limited to one year, and who also fought stubbornly against the admission of families of American personnel. The Minister War eventually relaxed to the extent of accepting the idea of admitting 10 families, then 20 and finally the Foreign Minister was able to arrange the formula without any limitation on numbers.
The Foreign Minister also told me that we should interpret the formula to mean that we will enjoy the use of the facilities for the full five years.
I think it notable that the Portuguese have dropped any demands to show “progress” in the new agreement, and have similarly dropped all requests for their forces to take over any of the technical functions at Lagens.
Furthermore, I think that the Foreign Minister has done a grand job on our behalf, in the face of stiff and resolute opposition.
I discussed with the Foreign Minister the substance of Deptel 855, November 25.1 He is immediately calling in Faria, in order to prepare a press release which could simultaneously be given out in Lisbon and Washington.
[Page 1050]I think that the foregoing will give all that the ATC want at this time. However, we are going to work immediately to see if the requirement that families be stationed at Praia da Victoria (the small town near the airfield) can be eliminated since ATC desires to remodel existing quarters to accommodate families; and to dilute word “emergency” in respect to increase of personnel and that ATC aircraft be changed to US Government aircraft.
Subheading D of formula suggests that ATC now send me very competent technical adviser.
Please inform Colonel Warren of formula through ATC. Please also brief Major Hammond on Department’s reaction to formula and return him here.
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