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to enter the war against up, or that there is a serious risk of the Cape Verdes or Azores being seized by our enemies, we should occupy the Islands, under a guarantee to return them to Portuguese sovereignty at the end of the war.

Recommendations.

18.

We summarise the recommendations made above as follows, whether or not France is still our ally:-

19.

(i) With Spain and Portugal genuinely neutral

we should not take any action against their Atlantic islands,

(ii) If Spain comes in against us we should not

attempt to occupy the Canaries,

(iii) If Spain comes in against us or shows signs

of doing so, we should act as follows with regard to the Portuguese Islands, whether or not Portugal has come in against us or has been attacked: -

(a) Cape Verdes to be seized forthwith so

as to deny them to the enemy and secure the cable station,

(b) Azores

to be seized forthwith so as to deny them to the enemy and to secure fuelling bases for ourselves and the cable station.

(c) Madeira - no action.

We further recommend that as regards the capture

of the Azores and Cape Vordes:-

(1) The troops required for these operations

should be definitely earmarked and withdrawn from any other role.

(ii) Naval and Army commanders should be nominated

now and instructed to prepare their detailed landing plans.

(iii) Shipping necessary for the expeditions should

be earmarked now (this may involve

dislocation of projected reinforcement plans).

Cabinet War Room.

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