NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY


   2. We have attempted to ensure the availability of military bases
in Greenland to the US either unilaterally through extension of our
1941 Agreement or within the framework of the NAT. In the light of
considerations raised by State, Defense has now restudied its require-
ments for defense facilities in Greenland and has requested negotiation
of a base rights agreement with Denmark with certain additional con-
cessions which they believe should be used to extract an agreement
from the Danes which would allow the quick reentry of US forces
and the reestablishment of US military installations whenever the
US deems necessary. (Letter to the Under Secretary from General
Allen, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 2-9-50 4)
   3. The President has approved the recommendations of the Cana-
dian-US Permanent Joint Board on Defense on modifications of the
1941 Leased Bases Agreement respecting Newfoundland. We have
assured the Canadians that Canada would be consulted in advance
with regard to any proposed US service activities to be undertaken
outside the leased areas. (PJBD Minutes and Recommendations;
Memo to President from Secretary, 8-1-50; Letter to Secretary of
Defense from Under Secretary, 8-3-505)
  4. In lieu of an Australian offer of joint bases at Manus Island
and elsewhere in Australian territory, Defense considers it desirable
that US ships and aircraft be permitted use of Australian bases when
and as the occasion arises with the bases remaining under Australian
control. Reciprocity for Australian ships and aircraft in US bases also
is considered desirable. (Letter to Secretary from Secretary of Defense,
8-2-50 4)
   5. Ibn Saud 6 has granted our request for an extension of the
Dhahran Airbase Agreement to February 1, 1951. In making the
request, we expressed our intention to open negotiations for a long-
term agreement when circumstances permit. The Defense Department
has now proposed a reimbursable military assistance program for
Saudi Arabia pertaining to military equipment and material totaling
approximately $75 million. While this program has been scaled down
from the Joint US Survey Group to Saudi Arabia proposals, Defense
feels that it should be modified upward if such action should be
instrumental in securing long-term base rights for the US at the
Dhahran Airbase. (Deptel 164 to Jidda, 5-10-50; Jidda's 308, 5-22-50,
and 321, 5-25-50; letter to Secretary from Secretary of Defense,
8-11-50 7)

  Not printed.
  None printed.
  6Abdul Aziz ibn Saud, King of Saudi Arabia.
  'Documentation on United States relations with Saudi Arabia, including
ma-
terial on the question of bases, is scheduled for publication in volume v.


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