348. Telegram From the Ambassador in Brazil (Briggs) to the Department of State1
607. Re Embtel 606. There follows text of letter sent President Kubitschek this morning based on Deptel 495.
“Confirming our conversation this morning I have the honor to set forth hereafter the message to you from President Eisenhower dated yesterday evening:
“‘I have been informed of your conversation on the morning of December 13 with Ambassador Briggs, and also of the draft response of the Brazilian Government to the American Embassy note of October 5, 1956.2
“‘I wish you to know that I have been following the negotiations closely because of my very great personal interest in the guided missile program, which is of the highest priority in the race against time, seeking to develop weapons vital for the defense not only of the western hemisphere, but perhaps of the entire free world.
“‘Your personal attention to this urgent matter is most gratifying to me, as is your agreement that the United States shall have access to a station on Fernando de Noronha Island. I appreciate the real problems which such an installation may pose for the Brazilian Government.
. . . . . . .
“‘I am confident that you will, in the fraternal and cooperative spirit which has always characterized relations between Brazil and the United States, find means to assure that the construction of these essential facilities will be allowed to begin without further delays, so as not to imperil the testing of inter-continental ballistic missiles.
“‘I send to you my warmest personal regards and good wishes, recalling with pleasure and satisfaction our meetings at Key West last January and Panama last July.’
“In connection with the foregoing message from President Eisenhower, I have been directed to call Your Excellency’s attention to the fact that it is now contemplated that the Fernando de Noronha station will be operated by a private United States company, under [Page 729] contract to the United States Air Force. Under that arrangement it is anticipated that there will probably be only one Air Force officer assigned to the Fernando de Noronha station after its completion, and should the Brazilian Government so desire, he can wear civilian clothes. The remainder of the American personnel will be approximately 50 civilian technicians employed by the contractor.
“As explained during our conversation this morning, my government hopes that it may be possible to conclude a 10-year agreement, subject to termination by either party after that initial period.
“Permit me to reiterate, Mr. President, the high appreciation of my government of the personal attention which you are giving to this important matter.”