752.5/6–1851: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Spain 1
892. By agreement with JCS, Dept has informed Brit and Fr Embs we are now prepared, as previously agreed, to consult with them re Spain before undertaking addtl direct conversations with Span Govt.2 These consultations with Brit and Fr will be at mil level within scope of NSC 72/4 for purpose of defining what shld be our common mil objectives re Spain. We shall inform Brit and Fr that US Govt believes in order carry out our NATO responsibilities it will be necessary for us to make bilateral arrangements with Spain to secure base facilities. We recognize there wld appear to be no likelihood at this time of gen agreement admit Spain into NATO.
Brit and Fr will undoubtedly be interested in what quid pro quo we will be ready to give Spain in return for mil cooperation. While addtl econ assistance, or mil aid restricted to supply and protection of bases wld appear to be purely US determination within terms of a bilateral negotiated with Spain, we intend to reassure Brit and [Page 820] Fr that if Span raise question of mil assistance to Span armed forces generally we shall discuss matter with them and other NATO countries in order properly to relate it to gen strengthening of Eur defense effort.
Talks will be held bilaterally with Gen Twining, Vice Chief, Air Staff, USAF, probably actg as US rep. We are ready to hold first mtg this week. Embs and Dept will be represented at first mtg. Thereafter mil matters will be discussed by mil reps.
- Drafted by Byington and cleared by Perkins. Sent also to London for Spofford and to Paris for MacArthur.↩
- The memoranda of conversation between officers of the Department’s Office of Western European Affairs and the French Ambassador and the British Counselor, respectively, on June 15, are in file 752.5/6–1551. Further conversations with British and French officials were held on June 21 and 22, respectively, during which Department officials developed the point that the proposed military facilities in Spain “wld supplement Gibraltar and Port Lyautey.” The Department planned to wait a “reasonable time” for British and French responses before proceeding with discussions in Madrid. (Telegram 910 to Madrid, June 23, 752.5/6–2251)↩