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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090014-1


irregular Moroccan forces in Ifni and the Spanish Sahara from November 1957 to February 1958.

On 26 September 1953 the United States signed an agreement with Spain that allowed the United States to establish strategic air bases and naval installations in Spain in return for economic and military assistance. Under terms of the basic agreement, Spain granted base rights for the United States for a 10-year period, with provisions for renewals for two successive 5-year periods. The base agreements were renewed for a 5-year period on 26 September 1963. Renewal of the second 5-year period was delayed until 1969, although the period of extension of the base rights dated from 26 September 1968. The extension was for 2 years, and further negotiations resulted in an extension of the base rights to 26 September 1975. Military end-item assistance to Spain has not been extensive, but it has made possible the slight degree of progress the armed forces have achieved in their modernization efforts. Spanish purchases of US equipment have been facilitated under terms of the base agreements, and US aid has been given to the production of some items in Spain, including five guided-missile destroyer escorts.


2. Command structure (C)

The Chief of State, Gen. Francisco Franco, is Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces and of the paramilitary forces. He exercises control of the three regular services through the Ministers of Army, Navy, and Air; he exercises direct control over the Air Defense Command in time of war. There is no minister of defense. The Minister of Interior controls the peacetime administration and employment of the Civil Guard and the Armed Police. However, under the reorganization of the army ministry, which is to be implemented during 1974, the Minister of Army will control the peacetime and wartime administration of the Civil Guard. He will also supervise and provide logistic support for both organizations and will have operational control over the Armed Police in the event of mobilization, or whenever it is necessary to insure coordination of internal security forces with military requirements.

The National Defense Board advises the Chief of State on the formulation of national defense policies. It does not hold regular meetings, but membership includes the President of the Government; the Chief of the High General Staff; and the Ministers and Chiefs of the General Staffs of Army, Navy, and Air. As required, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior, Industry, and Commerce, and the Directors General of Industry of the three services may be called for consultation.

The High General Staff, a joint military advisory and coordinating body, is responsible for coordinating all joint staff functions of the armed forces. The Chief of the High General Staff is assisted by a deputy, a


FIGURE 1. Organization of the military high command (U/OU) (chart)


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APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200090014-1