February 25, 1949
MEMORANDUM OF CONVERSATION
Secretary Forrestal called Secretary Acheson late today to say that he had in mind asking for a meeting with the Department of State next week, at which time he and Secretary Symington would want to discuss the question of bases and other quid pro quo which the United States would be interested in obtaining in return for our military aid to Western European countries. Secretary Forrestal agreed with Secretary Acheson that to raise this question with the countries would be dangerous at this time. But the Army wishes to propose to the State Department questions to be taken up after the NAP treaty is negotiated.
Mr. Acheson agreed to discuss this sometime next week, but asked that Secretary Forrestal's people be very clear as to what they wished, and reminded Secretary Forrestal of the difficulties that had previously arisen because of the Army's desire at one time for a great many bases only to have a subsequent change of opinion reduce this number to very few.
Secretary Acheson and Secretary Forrestal agreed on the importance of and difficulties in connection with Denmark as it would be involved in this matter; but that this would have to be worked out regardless of the Russian attitude.
B.Evans