FRONT PAGE STORY - 18/08/2001

Portugal and Star Wars - still no confirmation

Colonel Judith Fedder this week became the first woman to assume the role of US commander of its base in Lajes, Azores. Upon her arrival at the Ilha Terceira base, she was questioned by reporters on Portugal's possible involvement in the United States' controversial anti-missile system, but she neither denied nor confirmed recent such reports (see THE NEWS, August 11).

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday following a ceremony in which the transition of command took place, Colonel Judith Fedder termed the American base as being "fundamental for American and Western allies' peace missions".

The first US woman commander of the Lajes base further revealed that she "had no specific information in her possession" regarding Portugal's imminent inclusion in what has been termed "Star Wars II".

The position assumed by Colonel Fedder was supported by the US Embassy in Portugal's business attache, Jeffrey Murray, according to whom "no indications exist as to how the system is to be developed."

"It is still very early to define the role which could be attributed to Portugal and the Lajes Base in the Azores in the anti-missile system", added Jeffrey Murray.

Work at the Lajes Base was initiated by Portuguese military engineers in 1934, having first been ceded to the British in 1943 and later, in 1946 to the United States.

The unit has been venue to several major US military interventions abroad, and started with "Operation Vittles" in 1948, serving as midway point for three thousand aircraft en route to Berlin.

Lajes further supported US forces in their military action in Lebanon (1958), Congo (1961), Yom Kippur War between Israel and Palestine (1973) and the Gulf War (1991).

Currently, the US has 875 marines based at Lajes along with 100 civilians who, along with their respective family members total 2,170. The American contingent at Lajes also employs approximately 930 Portuguese civilians.

Portugal and Star Wars - still no confirmation