The Nome Nugget

Ike, Franco
Buddy-Up for
Mutual Security

MADRID (AP) - President Eisenhower and Generalissimo Francisco Franco agreed Tuesday that Western talks with the Soviets and the President's visit to Moscow next year will help the cause of peace. But they added "A firm defense posture should be maintained" by the West.
The two chiefs of state, after a breakfast conference of two hours and 20 minutes at Franco's Pardo Palace, said their conversation strengthened the bonds of cooperation between Spain and the United States.
The statement was released as Eisenhower boarded his jet airliner for Morocco, the last stop of his 11-nation goodwill tour.
His reception in Madrid, the next-to-the-last stop, was the greatest ever given a foreign visitor in modern Spain. White House Press Secretary James C. Hagerty quoted Eisenhower as saying he was completely overwhelmed.
Spaniards Yell "Viva Ike"
About a million Spaniards roared "Viva Ike" as the President rode through Madrid with Franco, in cold rain and wind late Monday.
Their communique said Eisenhower had given Franco and members of his government a full briefing on the purposes of his 22,000-mile tour of three continents and the results he hoped to attain.
"The talks, which covered a wide variety of other international matters of interest to both countries, were conducted in an atmosphere of cordiality and understanding," the statement said.
Franco said in toasting Eisenhower at a banquet Monday night, Spaniards are well aware "we enjoy the preservation of liberty in Western Europe, without falling under the Communist yoke, due to your energy and generosity and those of your country."
Eisenhower, in replying, expressed hope for greater friendship and cooperation between Spain and the United States. He cited the Christmas celebration of the birth of Christ as "the season to rededicate ourselves to these principles for which He gave His life."