-9-
Instead of appealing to Portugalfs sense of justice and
human dignity, we are contributing mere to their war machine.
Instead of seeking amelioration we are providing support
for the repressive policies of minority rule, in countries where
half a million whites dominate tho lives of 14 million blacks.
Why do wo ally our resources with Portuguese interests? Since
1969, United States activity with Portugal has increased substantially.
Early in 1971 the sale cf Booing trt?nsports -- 707 fs and 7^7's
added to the Portuguese fleet of troop carriers going to the African
warsi the United States sold five Bell helicopters for use in
Mozambique.
— The United States trains Portuguese armed forces
both in this country and in Europe.
— We provide over $1 million in grant military aid to
Portugal each year.
— We annually put a substantial portion of the
operation costs for the Azores base into the i       • -- ;
Portuguese economy.
NIXON CONCEPT OF SELF-DETERMINATION
— On December 13, 1971, President Nixon's meeting with
the Portuguese Prime Minister in thc Azores followed
a massive new agreement for thc use of military bases
in the Azores.  It is this last stop that particularly
dismayed those cf us who were already troubled by the
earlier sales to Portugal,  And now, we believe it is
imperative that American-Portuguese relations receive careful scrutiny.
As the Foreign Relations Committee clearly emphasized in its
hearings last month, the December agreement v/ith Portugal authorized
the United States to guarantee tc the Portuguese government a
package amounting to a minimum of $436 million including?
1. $30 million in loans under the Public Law 480 program
for the purchase of agricultural commodities.
2. Free use of the hydrographic vessel, U.S.N.S. Kellar,
3. $1 million for education development projects from tho
Defense Department budget,   '
4. An unlimited amount in drawing rights — a minimum of
$5 million -- for thc purchase cf non-military excess
equipment from Defence Department stocks, and,