U.S.-Portuguese relations and foreign base rights in Portugal

Abstract

This thesis examines the United States' relationship with Portugal and its significance for past, present, and future U.S. use of basing facilities in the Azores. The U.S.-Portuguese relationship is grounded largely in U.S. geostrategic imperatives and Portuguese military needs. Several factors, including changes in the USSR and Eastern Europe and Portugal's economic revitalization and increasing ties with Europe, justify a reappraisal of certain aspects of Portugal's military relationship with the United States. It would be advantageous on many grounds to cultivate improved social, political, and economic ties between the United States and Portugal and thereby complement the security relationship, including U.S. access to Azorean bases. This thesis also analyzes Portuguese relations with France and the Federal Republic of Germany - the two other nations granted base rights in Portugal. This allows an extensive comparative analysis of French, West German, and American basing relations with Portugal. Finally, the thesis examines the Portuguese military's status in society and politics.