752.5/6–2351: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Spain 1
909. Since aid mentioned as quid pro quo Deptel 892 (London 5967, Paris 6903) Jun 182 will be our chief bargaining weapon in negots with Span Govt, we plan make every effort forestall any Congressional action which wld require such aid be given before we have obtained desired mil facilities. (Pres has previously approved, and draft Mutual Security Bill permits, extension necessary and appropriate mil and econ assistance to Spain; Spain purposely not mentioned draft Bill since desired mil arrangements have not yet been made.)
When questions first asked re Spain during hearings draft Mutual Security Bill, we will inform House and Senate Comites in exec session: (1) current status our action and subsequent steps to be taken obtain base rights in Spain; (2) Bill as drafted permits extension necessary and appropriate mil and econ aid to Spain; and (3) adverse effect premature action re aid wld have on base rights negots. This testimony will be coordinated with prin witnesses from Def Dept.3
Foregoing FYI only.
FonMin, or at ur discretion Gen Franco, shld be advised Franco’s remarks to you Mar 144 have been carefully studied and we plan discuss these matters further with them shortly.
- Drafted by Dunham, cleared by Perkins, and repeated to London for Spofford and to Paris for MacArthur.↩
- Document 379.↩
- In telegram 1212, June 25, Ambassador Griffis replied that it would be “unrealistic expect Span offer facilities unless definite econ and mil aid assured. Therefore, we should be prepared in negots to offer specific aid in return for facilities.” (752.5/6–2551)↩
- See telegram 803 from Madrid, Document 371.↩