U.S.A. UNITED STATES SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF SPANISH MILITARY BASES.

Record ID: 337776

  • Title: U.S.A. UNITED STATES SIGNS AGREEMENT FOR THE USE OF SPANISH MILITARY BASES.
  • Date: 7th August 1970
  • Summary: (REUTERS) CU Sign Department of State MV Rogers and Bravo sign agreement CU Bravo signs CU Rogers signs PAN TO Bravo CU Agreement being closed MCU Rogers and Bravo shake hands MV Rogers and Bravo leave meeting (0.46) CM/BHH/PS CM/BHH/MH
  • Embargoed: 22nd August 1970 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, U.S.A.
  • City:
  • Country: USA
  • Reuters ID: LVA2AXPWHKF22KNS9JAYS77OWW9D
  • Story Text: The United States and Spain signed an agreement on Thursday (August 6) allowing the U.S. to use Spanish military bases for another five years.

    The agreement was signed in Washington by Secretary of State William P. Rogers and Spanish Foreign Minister Gregorio Lopez Bravo.

    The agreement is a controversial one, seen by U.S. doves as giving the Franco Government an indirect tie with NATO Defense alliance.

    It permits the United States to use four Spanish military bases, and records the view of the two Governments that it forms a part of the security arrangements for the Atlantic and Mediterranean areas.

    The agreement does not specify what co-operation, if any will take place between Spain and United States in the event of an attack that involves NATO as a whole.

    But it calls on each to support the defence system of the other, and pledges U.S. aid in the form of military assistance programmes and support for modernising of Spain's defence industry.

    It also sets up a Joint Defense Committee, to sit in Madrid, and says the two countries will consult to reach mutual agreement on the "time and manner" in which U.S. bases in Spain will be used to meet an external threat or attack against the security of the West.

    A statement by Under-Secretary of State U. Alexis Johnson, that the agreement did not contain a U.S. pledge to defend Spain, apparently failed to satisfy Senator J. William Fulbright, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, who intends to try to wreck the agreement by introducing legislation barring President Nixon from using funds in connection with the Spanish bases.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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