Office of the Historian
No. 393

752.5/11–2751

Memorandum by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (Bonbright) to the Deputy Under Secretary of State (Matthews)1

top secret
[Washington,] November 27, 1951.

Representatives of Defense, ECA and State met today to discuss the problems involved in preparing for negotiations for military facilities with the Spanish Government. The group considered particularly questions concerning the development of an economic aid program. Since any such program will necessarily be closely related to the military facilities the JCS will desire in Spain, the group concluded that work on an economic program could not usefully be undertaken until the JCS decision is known.

It will also be necessary to take the military requirements into account in programming economic and military aid for Spain in the FY 1953 foreign aid program. I understand the President wants this bill presented to Congress the day after his Budget Message, or about the 25th of January. These military requirements must also be used as a basis for the other preparations necessary before negotiations can be undertaken with the Spaniards.

In view of the need for an early decision, in order that we may proceed with the negotiations and the necessary programming, I suggest that you raise the question of Spain at your meeting with the JCS next week. We should take that opportunity to point out that all preparations for negotiations, as well as the development of estimated aid programs for the next fiscal year, can only be undertaken after their decision regarding the exact military facilities to be sought in Spain; and to urge that this decision be reached as soon as possible.2

  1. Drafted by Dunham and Williamson.↩

  2. Bonbright added this penciled notation at the bottom of the memorandum: “I realize that this was raised last week and that, given the frame of mind exhibited by Genl. Collins [Chief of Staff, USA], it would be a mistake to push too hard. On the other hand we cannot move until we know the military requirements and we have a deadline to meet for the ’53 foreign aid program.”

    At a meeting of Department of State representatives with the Joint Chiefs of Staff on December 7, Deputy Under Secretary of State H. Freeman Matthews informed his military colleagues that it was “very difficult for us to formulate any plans for economic assistance to Spain until we know what your recommendations are on the military program.” He was told that the Joint Strategic Plans Committee was still pondering a proper military program for Spain based upon the Joint Military Survey Team’s Report of October 31. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Bonbright replied that the problem was one of an early deadline, since it was necessary to submit a comprehensive new MSA plan to Congress in January. The meeting then turned to another subject and the issue of Spanish military and economic aid was not considered by this group during the remainder of the year. (Substance of discussions of the State-Joint Chiefs of Staff meeting, December 7, PPS files, lot 64D563)

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