Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXIV, Middle East Region and Arabian Peninsula, 1969–1972; Jordan, September 1970

66. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State¹

London, December 10, 1971, 1641Z.

11267. Subj: Diego Garcia Agreement. Ref: London 11245.²

1. New U.S. position embodied in State 219330³ appears to have transformed Diego Garcia negotiation fron near-total impasse to drafting exercise. While British reactions described in reftel are necessarily provisional, it is clear that officials in both MOD and FCO now believe we are on road to early agreement and are immensely relieved.

2. In past few months British have had growing conviction that U.S. was attempting to write an agreement which would expand HMG’s approval of a limited communications facility to a license to do whatever we please in Diego Garcia. While construction on island proceeded apace, we maintained official positions, seen here as contradictory, that (A) we had no present plans for construction beyond what we had already told HMG, but (B) we could not accept any British inhibitions on future construction or land use. As recently as December 8, we jokingly reassured MOD official that USN did not really intend to sneak in a Polaris base under cover of darkness, and met stony reply “you have given us very little reason to feel sure of that.”

3. Compromise solution of scope paragraph⁴ was major substantive element in restoring British confidence and permitting both sides to resume genuine negotiation. British apprehensions had reached a point which required the additional concession we have made, by including many administrative details in the government-level exchange, to make the package work. In Embassy’s opinion, these concessions will not in themselves work seriously to our disadvantage, or inhibit achievement of legitimate US objectives in BIOT.

4. We believe we will now get a good agreement, and put to rest lingering British doubts. We are grateful to Washington for excellent support in providing instructions which will make it possible.

Annenberg

1. Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of Admiral Thomas Moorer, Box 113, Work File (Indian Ocean). Confidential; Exdis.
2. Telegram 11245 from London, December 9, reported on the preliminary reaction of the British to the current draft of the Diego Garcia agreement. (Ibid., RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 15 IND–UK)
3. In telegram 219330 to London, December 4, the Department suggested that a counterproposal be focused on the principles of the 1966 BIOT agreement, leaving the details to subsequent agreement by “appropriate administrative authorities.” (Ibid., RG 218, Records of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Records of Admiral Thomas Moorer, Box 113, Work File (Indian Ocean))
4. This paragraph detailed provisions under which the United States had the right to construct, maintain, and operate a limited naval communications facility on Diego Garcia. (Ibid.)