841.34553B/15
The Department of State to the British Embassy
Aide-Mémoire
The Department has examined with care the aide-mémoire of the British Embassy dated September 21, 1943, deposited with the Department by Mr. Hayter68 on September 22, 1943. In delivering this aide-mémoire Mr. Hayter inquired whether the United States Government would be prepared to say when the public announcement of this matter is made that the United States Government had been fully informed concerning this matter and that it had approved the move. Mr. Hayter explained that the purpose of such an announcement on the part of the American Government would be to forestall a criticism that the United Kingdom was seeking postwar civil aviation advantages.
It is the intention of this Government to maintain complete secrecy with regard to the agreement signed at Lisbon on August 17, 1943, and ensuing action, as long as possible, and upon release from strict secrecy to adopt the following line in its broadcasts:
- (a)
- This is in no sense an occupation of the Azores.
- (b)
- The administration of the Azores, civil and military, and the military defense of the Azores remain in the hands of the Portuguese authorities.
- (c)
- This is merely a limited extension of commercial facilities heretofore enjoyed in the Azores.
In addition, it is now proposed that upon the issuance of a statement by the British Government, but not before, this Government will issue a statement to the effect that it has been fully informed concerning this matter and has approved the action.
In order to be in a position to make the statement requested by the Embassy it is deemed important that the Embassy should acquaint the Department in full with the details of the separate agreements negotiated since the signing of the agreement of August 17, 1943, including a statement of the prices at which military equipment and supplies to the Portuguese Government, covered in the agreement, will be furnished.
As regards consuls no special arrangements are asked in behalf of the consular officers of this country in the area in question, beyond the arrangement already agreed upon that these officers will be permitted to rejoin their posts immediately following the operation, in the capacity of shipping commissioners.
It is noted that it has been decided to remove all foreigners living in Terceira and Fayal and to subject all foreigners residing in other [Page 546] islands of the group to a strict measure of control. It is noted that it has been agreed that all United States nationals belonging to an essential public service such as that operated by Pan American Airways, and any other United States nationals on a list to be supplied by His Majesty’s Consuls to the Portuguese military authorities, shall be exempted from these measures. It is assumed that His Majesty’s Consuls will take the necessary steps to receive such lists from the American consular officers concerned. It is further noted that American citizens of dual (Portuguese American) nationality will in any case be permitted to remain.
The Department is at the disposal of the Embassy to discuss necessary action in the interest of operational security to ensure that no travelers, either by ship or by air should reach any point outside the Islands if they have been in the area at any time during a period of from ten to fourteen days after the arrival of British forces in the Islands.
Arrangements will be made to secure the compliance by Pan American Airways representatives in Horta with necessary instructions to be given them by the Portuguese authorities to secure a cessation of operations of the Pan American Airways radio transmitter. It is proposed to accomplish the despatch of appropriate instructions by cable immediately before the arrival of the convoys.
Steps will be taken, as from the end of September, to establish a censorship ban on all references to operations in the neighborhood of the affected area until such time as the proposed public announcement is made.
- W. G. Hayter, First Secretary of the British Embassy.↩