The use of Air Base No. 4, located in Lajes, Terceira Island, by US Air Force refueling aircraft has once again raised questions about the role of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in decisions involving this military infrastructure, which is particularly important for cooperation between Portugal and the United States of America.

According to the request submitted by the PS/Azores, this operation, which took place on June 22 and was directed against Iran, represents more than a simple tactical air support movement. For the PS, this is yet another episode in which the geostrategic importance of the Lajes Base is evident, but also a possible failure to fulfill the constitutional duty to inform and consult the autonomous region’s governing bodies.

According to the request, the Constitution of the Republic and the Political-Administrative Statute of the Azores establish that any decision by the State that affects, or may affect, the Azores must be shared in advance with the regional bodies. The PS/Azores sought to ascertain whether this principle had been respected in this specific case. In questions addressed to the Regional Government, the Socialists asked whether the Regional Government had been consulted in advance by the Government of the Republic regarding the US request for authorization to use the Azorean base as a support platform for refueling aircraft; if such consultation took place, the PS/Azores questions the identification of the entities involved, both on the part of the Government of the Republic and the Regional Government, as well as the date and content of the dialogue held; if such consultation did not take place, the PS-Azores ask, in the third question, whether the Regional Government was at least informed in advance of the decision to authorize the US military operation from the Lajes Base. The fourth question also seeks detailed clarification on who informed whom and when.

In its response, published yesterday, the Regional Government of the Azores refers to the Cooperation and Defense Agreement signed between Portugal and the United States of America in 1995, which regulates the use of Air Base No. 4 by US military forces. According to the Azorean Executive, certain uses of the facilities at Lajes require authorization from the Portuguese State, which, as publicly confirmed by the Ministry of National Defense, was respected in this case.

As for the specific question about the Azores’ involvement in the process, the Regional Government’s response avoids detailing whether or not there was prior consultation. Instead, it states that, although this is a matter between two sovereign states, the Autonomous Region of the Azores was informed “in the usual manner,” respecting the established institutional procedures. However, it also stresses that these procedures are not subject to public disclosure, thus leaving the exact details of the communication between Lisbon and the Region unclear.

José Henrique Andrade is a journalist for Correio dos Açores-Natalino Viveiros, director.

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.