Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 2

711.56346E/4–1453: Instruction

The Acting Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Ceylon (Satterthwaite)

top secret
No. 15

Washington, May 28, 1953.

Sir: Reference is made to the Embassy’s Despatch No. 312 of November 28, 1952¹ and previous correspondence regarding the question of the establishment of United States military installations in Ceylon.

The Department of State has received a letter dated April 14, 1953² from the Department of Defense, a copy of which, together with its enclosure, a “Statement of U.S. Military Requirements”, is attached.³ The Department of Defense requests advice as to whether the political situation in Ceylon would permit the opening of negotiations for United States military rights with the Government of Ceylon at this time and, if not, an estimate as to when such negotiations could be initiated.

You will note from the enclosure that the availability of funds for the facilities required is “subject to review”. Furthermore it has been ascertained informally that although the requirement for a heavy bomber-staging base is a priority item, the Department of Defense will not be able, until after Congressional action on the Defense budget, to make a firm decision as to the availability of funds and, consequently, as to the practicability of opening negotiations. However, an indication of prospects for successful negotiation in Ceylon would be useful to the Department of Defense at this stage.

In previous correspondence on the subject of United States military requirements in Ceylon, specifically your telegram No. 533 of May 12, 1951,⁴ you have stated your view that the United States is not likely to obtain military facilities in Ceylon without giving the Government of Ceylon a substantial quid pro quo.

Nevertheless, in view of the interest shown by a high Government of Ceylon official in the establishment of United States military facilities in Ceylon (Embassy Despatch No. 312, November 28, 1952 and previous), the Department would appreciate your views as to whether the Government of Ceylon might at this time be willing to negotiate on the basis of the economic and security benefits which would accrue to Ceylon as a result of the establishment of United States facilities. If, in your opinion, the Government of Ceylon would be unwilling to cede the rights and facilities desired on this basis, the Department would appreciate your views as to the nature and amount of the additional benefits which would have to be offered.

Although it is not possible at this time to determine whether either economic or military aid will in fact be available it would be useful to have your judgment as to the relative efficacy of either category of aid in obtaining the rights desired. There are now pending before Congress, proposals for the amendment of the Mutual Security Act which would make possible the extension of a limited amount of economic aid despite the restrictions of the Battle Act.

The Department would also appreciate your views as to the probable effect on Ceylon–Indian relations of the establishment of a United States military base in Ceylon.

Very truly yours,

For the Acting Secretary of State:

John D. Jernegan
Acting Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs

1. Despatch 312 from Colombo, not printed, reported a conversation between Myron Black, First Secretary of the Embassy in Ceylon, and Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, Minister of Agriculture and Food, in which Sir Oliver raised the issue of a formal defense agreement between the United States and Ceylon. The despatch noted the tendency of Goonetilleke to use the offer of military bases and a defense agreement as bargaining points when he had brought up the issues before. (611.46E/11–2852) The Department was not certain to what degree Goonetilleke made these proposals on his own initiative or at the specific request of his government. (Airgram A-54 to Colombo, Jan. 7, 1953, pp. 1–2; 611.46E/1–753)
2. Ante, p. 1567.
3. The “Statement of U.S. Military Requirements,” which has been omitted, enumerated the supplies and facilities needed to make the Negombo airfield and surrounding area a U.S. staging base in time of war.
4. Not printed (746E.5/5–1251).