Restriction on U.S. air base

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33814, 10 April 1975, Page 13

Restriction on U.S. air base

• Vuir Zealand Press Association—Copyright) LISBON. April 9. Portugal's new Left-wing military Gov eminent has barred the I nited States from using her base in the Azores to supply Israel in any new *i Middle East war. but the Prime Minis- ; ter (Brigadier Goncalves) has promised to honour all past commitments of the I Portuguese to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Brigadier Goncalves told ai news conference last night: 1 |“We will not allow our bases] [to be used against the Arabs,! ibut we intend to adhere to] (our treaty with N.A.T.0.. and to allow the United States [continuous use of the Azores; I base.” I The United States used the!

; base at Lajes tn the Azores, [a chain of Atlantic Ocean islands 1200 miles west of the Portuguese mainland, to refuel aircraft carrying military supplies to Israel during the Middle East war in 1973. The Arab oil States responded [by placing an embargo on [petroleum shipments to Portugal. ! Reports from Washington [say that the United States Air Force has worked out an ! in-flight refuelling programme to avoid the need for stops in the Azores. Brigadier Goncalves warned the Portuguese to [brace themselves for possible [economic boycotts because of (the military regime’s moves to bring socialism to the nation. “This may happen, and we must prepare ourselves for it,” he said. “The military’s plans will require sacrifices. An emergency 'economic plan will be announced within the next Three weeks.”