Movement at the Base of Lajes (and silent government)

“Given the operational security of U.S. assets and personnel, it is not possible to release further details at this time,” the Pentagon said. Nuno Melo says that it is not an area under his supervision.

The PS secretary general defended this Saturday that the Portuguese “have the right to know the terms” under which the Lajes Basein the Azores, is used and accused the Government of not fulfilling its duty to inform parties.

“We all know that there is an agreement to transfer the Lajes Base to an ally and a friend who are the United States, it is a strategic ally. It is a long-time friend with whom we want to preserve this relationship. But the Portuguese people have the right to know the terms and for what purposes the Lajes Base is used at this and other times”, said José Luís Carneiro.

The PS leader, who was speaking to journalists in Baião, in the Porto district, before a meeting with socialist activists and supporters, complained about the failure to provide information to the leaders of political parties in the Assembly of the Republic.

“Naturally, as was said by the President of the Republic, the Government is closely monitoring [o que se passa na Base das Lajes]but there is a duty that the Government is not fulfilling, which is the duty of information to the leaders of political parties in the Assembly of the Republic and also the duty of public information, because citizens have the right to know under what terms the national territory is being used”, he said.

The Lajes Base, on the island of Terceira, in the Azores, recorded on Wednesday afternoon a biggest movement of United States (US) military aircraftthe Lusa agency found on site.

That afternoon, 11 KC-46 Pegasus refuelers, 12 F-16 Viper fighters and a C-17 Globemaster III military freighter were stationed at Lajes Base.

During the afternoon, some fighters took flight and landed again.

Lusa questioned, in writing, the North American Air Force at Lajes Base about this increase in aircraft movement, but received no response.

The Lusa agency also contacted the State Department and the United States Department of Defense to obtain clarification on these movements in Lajes.

“US European Command regularly receives US aircraft and military personnel in transit, in accordance with access, basing and overflight agreements with allies and partners,” the Pentagon (Department of Defense) said in a brief written message.

“Considering the operational security of U.S. assets and personnel, It is not possible to disclose further details at this time.”, he added.

According to the Facebook page “Asas dos Açores”, which shares photographs and videos of aircraft at airports in the region, on Tuesday 12 F-16 fighters and a K6-46 refueler had landed in Lajes.

The Minister of Defense, Nuno Melorefused this Friday to comment on the recent aircraft movements, justifying that it is not an area under his responsibility.

“I think it is clear today that there is a protocol between Portugal and the United States of America for the use of the Lajes Base and the National Defense does not have to authorize the use of the Lajes Base, even though it is handed over to the Air Force, because this use has nothing to do with the United States, but results from that protocol”, said Nuno Melo.

“And I have this thing where I don’t like talking about other areas of responsibility. I also don’t really like it when, in other times, other areas of responsibility talked about National Defense because I think that the person who has to talk about National Defense is the Minister of National Defense”, he stated.

“War is never good news, it is never a good thing. And what we want is that diplomacy, from the beginning, always follows its course and, through diplomacy, conflicts between nations can be resolved”, he highlighted.

And when conflicts are not resolved, sometimes wars happen, he said, adding that war is never anyone’s desire.

According to the television network CNN and The New York Times, the US military will be prepared to launch a , although US President Donald Trump has not yet made a final decision on authorizing a possible operation.

The US and Iran concluded a second round of negotiations on Tuesday, in Switzerland, without any rapprochement between the two countries.