Franco permits U.S. bases

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33858, 2 June 1975, Page 13

Franco permits U.S. bases

(New Zealand Press Association—Copyright) MADRID, June 1. President Ford won a basic agreement yesterday from Generalissimo Franco for United States forces to remain on Spanish bases. He hailed it as a “major contribution” to the defence of Western Europe.

But Spanish sources said they foresaw the United States losing at least one of the four bases it maintains in negotiations to be completed next month.

After a sun-splashed, fiesta-type welcome, Mr Ford met Generalissimo Franco for four hours. The meet in 9 ended with both sides expressing confidence a satisfactory agreement II be worked out in detailed negotiations in Washington. Generalissimo ranco was believed to be seeking a treaty with Washington, an infusion of United States tactical short-range weapons, and a reduction in the number of American troops in Spain. 20.000 troops The current pact, due to expire in three months, allows the United States to use four Spanish military bases: the Polaris submarine base at Rota, two airfields near Madrid and Seville and an aerial gunnery range at Zargoza, which has been mothballed. The bases are home for about . 20.000 American troops. Spanish sources saiu tl at the United States could wind up losing at least one base, probablv the one at Torrejon, a Strategic Air Command bomber base 10 miles from Madrid.

The base is considered obsolete, and the Spanish Government has always felt uneasy about allowing a major military installation and a possible target for anti-American protest so near Madrid and its almost four million people. Some changes? In a news conference after four hours of talks between President Ford and Spanish leaders, Mr Arthur Hartman, the Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, told reporters who asked about treaty changes that “there may be some.” Mr Hartman said he did not want to give details still being arrang2d by negotiators, but he said: “What I am trying to say is that the situation from the time that some of the facilities were created has changed. So there may be some alteration. Now, whether that means actually giving up anything or merely continuing it in a different form or with different purposes is something that I want to leave to the negotiators to explain when they make more progress.” Spanish opposition groups, newspapers, and even some leaders had opposed letting some 20,000 American servicemen and dependants continue to be stationed in Spain.