NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY



the Azores to the Portuguese within nine months, or by 2 June 1946.
  The Joint Chiefs of Staff recognize the moral obligations of the
United States to abide by these agreements. Action has been, and is
being, taken by both the Army and the Navy to withdraw from a large
number of bases on foreign soil where there is no further military
necessity for the maintenance of U.S. forces. The Joint Chiefs of Staff
point out the military aspects of the retention of U.S. forces at vari-
ous locations on the territory of foreign nations as follows:
  a. The United States is obligated to enforce the surrenders of Ger-
many and Japan. Hence, the United States must continue to maintain
occupational forces in Germany and Japan -for a presently unpredict-
able'period of time. The retention 'by the United States of certain
intermediate' air bases and ports, with their supporting and ancillary
facilities on the lines of communication to Germany and Japan, is
essential to the administration, supply, and support of U.S. occupa-
tional forces. The Joint Chiefs'of Staff 'therefore consider that 'the
maintenance of U.S. forces at these intermediary points (as listed in
the Annex hereto) is a military necessity until the strength and dis-
position of occupational forces are such'as to permit adjustments.
  b. At certain of the locations indicated in the Annex, there is a
requirement for long-term U.S. base rights. The Joint Chiefs of Staff
refer to their view, expressed in . . .'(SWNCC 38/25),7 that the
comprehensive base system which will result from obtaining the
desired rights is an essentialrequirement for United States security in
the event of a failure of the United Nations to preserve world peace';
furthermore, the provision of this system of bases will enable the
United States to contribute more effectively to that organization in
maintaining peace throughout the world. A total withdrawal of U.S.
forces from bases now occupied and listed as "Essential" and from
cer-
tain of those listed as "Required" would tend to weaken the security
of
the United States. In addition to the security aspects mentioned above,
not only would it be difficult to withdraw forces from these "Essential
"
and "Required" bases and later replace them pursuant to a new agree-
ment, but also such a procedure would be unnecessarily costly.
  c. The Joint Chiefs of Staff have recommended to the State Depart-
ment that negotiations be conducted for long-term U.S. military rights
of air transit and technical stop for military aircraft at places set
forth in . . . (SWNCC 38/30).78 The Joint Chiefs of Staff
consider that, from a military standpoint, U.S. personnel should be
maintained at these places, including those responsible for weather
reporting, aids to navigation, and communication facilities necessary
for the operation of these air routes, until such time as the local gov-
ernments or commercial interests are prepared to assume maintenance
and operation of the, essential airport and air route facilities
  It is to the advantage of the War and Navy Departments to close out
as expeditiously as possible those bases and facilities for which no
peacetime garrison is presently planned, or which are not necessary in
connection with occupational responsibilities.



1' Ante, p. 1112.i
7' Ante, p. 1142.



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