and we are doing that at loges. this has been a matter of great focus and a lot of work on the part of the defense department, and including state department leadership over the last few years. obviously,it is a matter of concern to the local residents on this area, the island and inside the portuguese government. so we have had a number of conversations -- i talked to the ambassador. i talked to their minister of defense on these issues. it has been an ongoing dialogue. the portuguese want to be good and effective partners in nato. >> sir, we are pretty convinced that our presence or our influence or our control there will not be replaced by some other foreign interest in view of our, reducing our activity there? >> sir, i cannot speak to what the portuguese government's plans might be for that base going forward. that has not been a matter of on my plate. >> seems like an awfully good asset. having had a chance to visit a number of times, it is an impressive location and impressive capability. ok. the next series

and we are doing that at loges. this has been a matter of great focus and a lot of work on the part of the defense department, and including state department leadership over the last few years. it is a matter of concern to the local residents on this area, the island and inside the portuguese government. so we have had a number of conversations -- i talked to the ambassador. i talked to their minister of defense on these issues. it has been an ongoing dialogue. the portuguese want to be good and effective partners in nato. >> sir, we are pretty convinced that our presence or our influence or our control there will not be replaced by some other foreign interest in view activityeducing our there? >> sir, i cannot speak to what the portuguese government's plans might be for that base going forward. that has >> it seems an awfully good asset. having had a chance to visit there a number of times, it is an impressive location and it has impressive capabilities. -- the next series of votes will come very quick. there will