Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, National Security Affairs; Foreign Economic Policy, Volume I

611.00/9–2250

Policy Record Guide Statement Prepared in the Department of State¹

top secret

[Washington, September 22, 1950.]

Military Bases

Policy: To acquire military rights in foreign territories that are urgently required by the JCS and other rights which are required or considered desirable. (PPS/56, 8–4–49²)

Action Taken:

1. We have engaged in detailed and generally successful negotiations with North Atlantic Treaty countries concerning the military facilities we desire in their territory under the Treaty, and the JCS have suggested the adoption of a standard mapping and charting agreement with friendly countries in order to facilitate these negotiations. The Secretary of Defense has also concurred in our view that in many cases the acquisition of facilities and privileges in NAT countries will depend on the completion of NATO plans, and has requested the JCS to take the necessary action to insure that NAT regional defense plans adequately reflect US requirements for military rights. (Memorandum to JCS from Secretary of Defense, 5–12–50³)

2. We have attempted to ensure the availability of military bases in Greenland to the US either unilaterally through extension of our 1941 Agreement or within the framework of the NAT. In the light of considerations raised by State, Defense has now restudied its requirements for defense facilities in Greenland and has requested negotiation of a base rights agreement with Denmark with certain additional concessions which they believe should be used to extract an agreement from the Danes which would allow the quick reentry of US forces and the reestablishment of US military installations whenever the US deems necessary. (Letter to the Under Secretary from General Allen, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2–9–50⁴)

3. The President has approved the recommendations of the Canadian-US Permanent Joint Board on Defense on modifications of the 1941 Leased Bases Agreement respecting Newfoundland. We have assured the Canadians that Canada would be consulted in advance with regard to any proposed US service activities to be undertaken outside the leased areas. (PJBD Minutes and Recommendations; Memo to President from Secretary, 8–1–50; Letter to Secretary of Defense from Under Secretary, 8–3–50⁵)

4. In lieu of an Australian offer of joint bases at Manus Island and elsewhere in Australian territory, Defense considers it desirable that US ships and aircraft be permitted use of Australian bases when and as the occasion arises with the bases remaining under Australian control. Reciprocity for Australian ships and aircraft in US bases also is considered desirable. (Letter to Secretary from Secretary of Defense, 8–2–50⁴)

5. Ibn Saud⁶ has granted our request for an extension of the Dhahran Airbase Agreement to February 1, 1951. In making the request, we expressed our intention to open negotiations for a long-term agreement when circumstances permit. The Defense Department has now proposed a reimbursable military assistance program for Saudi Arabia pertaining to military equipment and material totaling approximately $75 million. While this program has been scaled down from the Joint US Survey Group to Saudi Arabia proposals, Defense feels that it should be modified upward if such action should be instrumental in securing long-term base rights for the US at the Dhahran Airbase. (Deptel 164 to Jidda, 5–10–50; Jidda’s 308, 5–22–50, and 321, 5–25–50; letter to Secretary from Secretary of Defense, 8–11–50⁷)

1. This document was part of the September 1950 version of the Policy Record Guide prepared and updated periodically by the Executive Secretariat of the Department of State. The Policy Record Guide was intended as a brief memory aid and status report for the top officers of the Department and their assistants.
2. PPS 56, “Progress Report on the Department’s Study of ‘Views of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Military Rights in Foreign Territories,’” a report by the Policy Planning Staff, August 4, 1949. For text, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. i, p. 368.
3. Not printed; for documentation on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, see vol. iii, pp. 1 ff.
4. Not printed.
5. None printed.
4. Not printed.
6. Abdul Aziz ibn Sand, King of Saudi Arabia.
7. Documentation on United States relations with Saudi Arabia, including material on the Question of bases, is scheduled for publication in volume v.