PAGE TEN THE MICHIGAN DAILY THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28,1967 CAGE TEN TilE MICIIIbAN DAILY THU RSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1967 1963 AGREEMENT ENDS: Strategic Necessity To Decide Future of U.S. Bases in Spain 4 Do o 4i"o MADRIA, Spain UP)-How much is an air base in Spain worth? What's the current price on a used navy base in a good condition? .These questions are up for an- swer in 1968, with Spain and the United States each having a-dif- ferent idea. To make the settling of price more complicated, two factions within each country may have separate concepts, each tug- ging against the other. On the final answer depends the future of the U.S. Air Force bases at Torrejon, a few miles northeast of Madrid, and Moron, near Sevilla. Also at stake is the future of the U.S. naval base at Rota at the Bay of Cadiz. Military factions of both coun- tries seem likely - to campaign to keep the bases going. Civilian officials of both coun- tries may take a more hardnosed attitude in the kind of horse- tradng that has one or the other declaring, "this is the final offer," several times before agreement is reached. Many people argue the bases 'aren't necessary to proper defense of U.S. interests and that the Tor- rejon and Moron bases aren't stra- tegic these days. "This is nonsense," says a high- ranking Air Force officer. "Of course the bases remain strategic. They're just as strategic now as they were." "The Spaniards know just how important these bases are," said another Air Force officer. "You can bet Munoz Grandes knows the score." Capt. Gen. Agustin Munoz Grandes is a National Council member and former vice president. "It's up to Spain," said one in- formed source. "It's up to Spain to decide if it wants the bases. If it doesn't, the U.S. will get out." "There will be adjustments, of course," this source said, "and we're prepared to make them." It was his view that the bases had lost urgency, even the naval installation at Rota, a service base for Polaris submarines. The subs would lose two days if they switch- ed service to Holy Loch base in Scotland. In the agreement that originally set up the bases and their renewal in 1963, the price was economic- massive U.S. aid economically and militarily. The price this time, unofficial reports indicate, will be, principally political, open U.S. support in a number of touchy areas. Among reported desires, none confirmed by the Spanish govern- ment is sponsorhip of Spain's en- try into the European Common Market and into NATO, the North against Britain on the Gibraltar question. It's doubtful if the Spaniards would seek the first. The United States has not done Britain much good in this respect and with Pres- ident Charles de Gaulle of France feeling the way he does, U.S. spon- sorship could be the kiss of death for Spain's common market hopes. Gibraltar is just about as im- possible for Uncle Sam, who would put himself in the middle of a fight which has been going on for 25 years. About the only reported price the United States can pay aside from dollars is membership in NATO. In view of the feelings some NATO members have about authoritarian governments, this might not be easy but it ranks as possible. It all gets back to the question of how much an air base in Spain is worth-but the odds are that the bases will not be dismantled. W aiThTo ai I I i Atlantic alliance, plus backingI -- .POLITICS CITIZENS FOR NEW, Meeting Tonight, 8:00 ANN ARBOR PUBLIC LIBRARY S. Fifth Ave. and William St. I DISCUSSION: GETTING ON THE BALLOT BEGINNING A CAMPAIGN I v _ _ 1 I 4 4 You will, and you'll know its significance in the state capital, to the lawmakers, and to various political factions as well, if you follow the news of government in this newspaper. The big stories from everywhere are here: the latest from Saigon; new rulings from the Supreme Court; scientific advances in the war against disease; and the news about the City Council and the Uni- versity community. How do we do it every day? With our own staff of reporters right here, and the Associated Press everywhere else in the world. I ClE3 Ulel7b. lUlr&C U DAIGiY %AWJ41V11*7tib &&%.FA& J64%Aca.