501.BB/11–2648: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Legation in Ethiopia
us urgent
149. Position US will take in GA on former Itcols sent as cirtel.1 Note US will support cession to Ethiopia of all Eritrea except West Province which would be postponed for further period of year. Future this area would be studied by appropriate organ UN with view formulating recommendation next regular session GA.
Secretary informed Aklilou our decision Nov 20. Inform Emperor orally in way you consider most advisable and explain that US considers cession act of justice by which most of Coptic Christians would be included in boundaries Ethiopia and which would provide Ethiopia with outlet to sea through port of Massawa. You may add US glad able take this position and confident it will strengthen bonds friendship and cooperation existing between our two countries. Dept also informing Eth Min2 here.
If Emperor or Eth Govt officials inquire about our position re other Itcols, you may give them such background contained in ref cirtel as seems appropriate. While we cannot expect Ethiopian support for Italian trusteeship for Somaliland, we hope Ethiopia will support our position on Libya. You could point out US and Brit positions on all Itcols now essentially same.
For your background info only, US armed forces particularly interested retaining unhampered use radio station Asmara and possibly use other mil facilities (airfields, port) Asmara-Massawa area after southern Eritrea ceded Ethiopia. Recently in Paris Ethiop Delegation GA volunteered that Emperor would make written assurances that any arrangements suitable to US for continuation US radio station Asmara would be agreeable to him. On Nov 20 Secretary assured Aklilou US favors cession Asmara and Massawa to Ethiopia and asked him to thank Emperor for his unsolicited offer permit radio station remain Asmara. Furthermore, he indicated we are particularly appreciative Emperor’s friendly gesture of offering written assurances but relying confidently on their expressed intention, we content discuss such arrangements necessary for our facilities Asmara after this territory ceded Ethiopia. We do not envisage that two countries bound by such friendly relations and parallel policies in world affairs will encounter difficulties in coming to satisfactory arrangements. Do not discuss subject of radio station or military facilities with Emperor unless he raises [Page 965] question and then you should speak along foregoing lines without mentioning military facilities Massawa.
Please report Emperor’s reactions soonest to all addressees.