746E.5/12–1251
The Acting Secretary of Defense (Foster) to the Secretary of State
Dear Mr. Secretary: I refer to the Department of State letter of September 28, 1951, from Assistant Secretary George C. McGhee with reference to the Government of Ceylon indication that possibly the United States may wish to establish certain types of bases in Ceylon.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff have noted that an informal proposal has been made by officials of the Ceylon Government that the United States establish and operate in Ceylon:
- a.
- One or two bomber squadrons with supporting fighter craft
- b.
- A small fleet of coastal craft possibly including submarines
- c.
- Island-wide radar coverage
For the immediate future, the Joint Chiefs of Staff do not consider Ceylon to be in an area of primary military interest to the United States, since in current military planning this area is considered to be the responsibility of the United Kingdom which has a defense [Page 2079] agreement with Ceylon. The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that present U.S. military commitments in other areas of higher priority would preclude the deployment of the specific U.S. military forces in Ceylon proposed by the Ceylon Governmental officials. However, U.S. military requirements in Ceylon are currently being restudied and certain other requirements may develop in the foreseeable future.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff consider that Ceylon is of strategic importance to the Western Powers in general, owing to its location on the communications routes between the Middle East and the Far East. They would hope, therefore, that such steps as are practicable be taken now to insure the alignment of Ceylon with the Western Powers so that the latter may be assured of such use of the area as may be necessary.
In view of the existence of the United Kingdom–Ceylon defense agreement, it is recommended that the Department of State approach the British Government and discuss the apparent apprehension of the Ceylon Government over its security problems, and review with the British Government actions which may be necessary on the part of Britain and the United States to retain the alignment of Ceylon with the West. Pursuant to such review, the opinion of the State is requested as to what action, on the part of the Department of Defense, might contribute to attaining the objectives stated above.
In this connection, I wish to say that the Joint Chiefs of Staff are prepared to express now, predicated on the continued build-up of the U.S. military capability, a military interest for certain bases and facilities in Ceylon in the foreseeable future, the nature and scope of which cannot at this time be determined.
There was forwarded to you on 19 May 1949 a study entitled, “U.S. Requirements for Military Bights in Foreign Territories”,1 and later several changes thereto. It is requested that further action by the Department of State, incident to obtaining rights in Ceylon necessary for fulfillment of these requirements, should be held in abeyance pending results of the exploratory conversations at the diplomatic level as recommended above. During the interim, if the Services should develop a specific requirement in Ceylon which is of pressing importance, I will bring the matter to your attention with appropriate recommendation.
Sincerely yours,
- For text, see Foreign Relations, 1949, vol. i, p. 302.↩