PORTUGAL [NOTE: See Section H, "Trusteeship, Self-Determination, and the Question of Colonialism," of Part II, "The United Nations, Specialized Agencies, and Developments in International Law," and Section F, "Status and Pending Independence of Trust Territories and Other Dependencies in Africa," of Part VIII, “Africa.”] SPAIN IV-97 SPANISH-UNITED STATES REVIEW OF RELATIONS BETWEEN THEIR TWO COUNTRIES: Announcement Issued by the Department of State, September 26, 1963 88 The Spanish Government and the United States Government have recently agreed to review relations between the two Governments and to reaffirm the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has characterized their relations over the past decade. The Foreign Minister of Spain, Fernando María Castiella y Maiz, and the Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, on behalf of their respective Governments, have agreed that the occasion of the renewal of the Defense Agreement 89 between the two Governments is a suitable time to issue a joint declaration regarding cooperation between Spain and the United States.90 91 The Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State have also agreed to an exchange of notes establishing a bilateral Consultative Committee on Defense Matters, and have exchanged letters regarding future United States military assistance to Spain. The Secretary of State has separately indicated the intentions of the United States Government regarding loans to Spain through the Export-Import Bank.2 The texts of the above documents, all signed and dated today [September 26], follow. Department of State press release No. 492 (revised) (text as printed in the Department of State Bulletin, Oct. 28, 1963, p. 686). 89 Signed Sept. 26, 1953; text in American Foreign Policy, 1950–1955: Basic Documents, vol. I, pp. 1696–1698. * Infra. 91 Ibid. Post, doc. IV-99. IV-98 SPANISH-UNITED STATES FIVE-YEAR RENEWAL OF THE DEFENSE AGREEMENT OF SEPTEMBER 26, 1953: Joint Declaration Signed at New York by the Secretary of State (Rusk) and the Spanish Foreign Minister (Castiella), September 26, 1963 93 The Governments of the United States of America and of Spain have engaged in discussions regarding their mutual security interests and their future relations in political, military and economic matters of common concern. In affirming the importance of their bilateral Defense Agreement, which will be applied in the new five year period of its validity in the spirit of this Declaration, they consider it to be necessary and appropriate that the Agreement form a part of the security arrangements for the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas. 94 The United States Government reaffirms its recognition of the importance of Spain to the security, well-being and development of the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas. The two governments recognize that the security and integrity of both the United States and Spain are necessary for the common security. A threat to either country, and to the joint facilities that each provides for the common defense, would be a matter of common concern to both countries, and each country would take such action as it may consider appropriate within the framework of its constitutional processes. The two governments, on behalf of the peoples of the United States and of Spain, have reaffirmed their friendship and mutual trust, and their determination to establish a close cooperation in order to strengthen the common defense, and to continue regular consultations on all political, military and economic matters of common interest. The two governments have similarly affirmed their desire to encourage economic growth and the expansion of trade and other economic relations among nations. They have reaffirmed their recognition of the common dangers, and their determination to maintain a close working relationship on all matters affecting their common interests and security. In order to assure continuing joint consultations on certain special matters of interest to them, the two governments have agreed upon the arrangements set forth in an exchange of notes of this date.95 DEAN RUSK of the United States of America NEW YORK, September 26, 1963. 93 TIAS 5437; 14 UST 1406. FERNANDO CASTIELLA Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain 94 Signed Sept. 26, 1953; text in American Foreign Policy, 1950-1955: Basic Documents, vol. I, pp. 1696–1698. Appended below. The Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain DEPARTMENT OF STATE WASHINGTON EXCELLENCY: I have the honor to refer to discussions which have recently taken place concerning the mutual desire of the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Spain to develop arrangements, within the limits of their respective constitutional processes, which would enable the two Governments, through liaison and consultation on defense matters of mutual concern, and in accordance with the spirit of the Joint Declaration of this date, to carry out more effectively the specified purposes and objectives of the Defense Agreement of September 26, 1953, and its attendant technical and procedural agreements, and thereby improve and enhance their common defense; and to confirm the understandings reached as a result of these discussions, as follows: 1. There is hereby established a joint United States-Spanish Consultative Committee on Defense Matters with headquarters in Madrid. 2. The Committee for the sessions cited in numbered paragraph 4 shall be composed of: (a) For Spain: (1) Co-chairman of the Committee: The designee of the Spanish Government. (2) Members: The designees of the Spanish Government. (b) For the United States: (1) Co-chairman of the Committee: The Chief of the Joint United States Military Group.. (2) Members: The Commanding General 16th Air Force, the Commander United States Naval Activities in Spain, the Commander 65th Air Division, and the Deputy Chief, United States Military Assistance Advisory Group. 3. The Committee and members thereof shall be assisted by such staff, military or civilian, as they consider appropriate. 4. The Committee shall in principle meet at monthly intervals, to consider military matters of mutual concern, so as to develop and improve through continuing military cooperation the security and effectiveness of jointly utilized facilities in Spain. The United States Ambassador to Spain, or his designee, may participate in its deliberations. 5. At the request of either Government special meetings of the Committee may be held from time to time in Madrid or in Washington which may be attended by the Foreign or other Ministers, or other high officials, of either Government. 6. The Committee by agreement between the Co-chairmen shall decide on matters within its competence as defined in paragraph 4 above and, when necessary, will recommend to the respective Governments how best to resolve in the mutual interest of the two countries such problems as may arise in connection with the operation of the facilities in Spain provided under the terms of agreements between the two Governments, matters arising from the operation of the Mutual Defense Assistance Agreement, and such other matters as either Government may direct the Committee to consider. 96 7. All Committee deliberations shall be held in closed session and the release of any public information shall be as mutually agreed by the Co-chairmen. 8. The Spanish Government shall provide suitable offices for the Committee. The Co-chairmen shall decide upon the necessary clerical and administrative support, the keeping of permanent records of the Committee, and the functioning of a joint military secretariat. If the foregoing is acceptable to Your Excellency's Government, I have the honor to propose that this note and Your Excellency's reply indicating concurrence shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments on this matter. Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your note of this date, which reads as follows: [For the English language text of the note, see above.] I have the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Spanish Government agrees to the foregoing text. 91 Cited in footnote 94 above. I avail myself of this opportunity, Mr. Secretary of State, to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration and personal friendship. The importance of the renewal for five years of the Defense Agreement of September 26, 1953, between the Governments of the United States and Spain has been reaffirmed by the Joint Declaration of this date. The Spanish Government wishes to express its satisfaction with the spirit of friendship and cooperation that has prevailed during the past ten years in the relationship between the armed forces of Spain and the United States and is confident that this same spirit will continue during the new term of the Agreement. The Spanish Government understands that the United States Government, subject to Congressional action, will provide support, at an appropriate level, to the Spanish defense effort, by making available military assistance to the Spanish armed forces. The Spanish Government is confident that the continuation of a close technical and scientific relationship between both countries would contribute to the achievement of a rapid and efficient modernization of the Spanish armed forces and military industries, within the framework of the economic and financial possibilities of Spain. I avail myself of this opportunity, Mr. Secretary of State, to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration and personal friendship. His Excellency THE SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE FERNANDO CASTIELLA |