Foreign Relations of the United States, 1950, The Near East, South Asia, and Africa, Volume V

110.15 Mc/4–2750

Aide-Mémoire by the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (McGhee) to His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie

confidential

The Assistant Secretary of State wishes to express his sincere appreciation to His Imperial Majesty for granting him an audience on March 15, 1950, at the Imperial Palace in Addis Ababa for the purpose of discussing current political and economic issues of concern to the Governments of the United States of America and Ethiopia.

1. With reference to His Imperial Majesty’s statement concerning Eritrea, the Assistant Secretary assured His Imperial Majesty that the United States Government has not changed its point of view with respect to the future status of this territory and that it continues to support the cession to Ethiopia of all of Eritrea except, the Western Provinces, which it feels should be annexed to the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. However, since the General Assembly at its last session established a Commission to investigate Eritrea and to submit a report with recommendations on the future of the territory to be considered by the Interim Committee and the General Assembly, Mr. McGhee said the United States will, of course, have to take the report of the Commission into consideration.

2. Mr. McGhee stated that the United States appreciates the action taken by the Ethiopian Government in using its influence to suppress tendencies on the part of those sympathetic to the Ethiopian point of view to engage in civil disorders in both Eritrea and Somaliland. Mr. McGhee also expressed the hope that the Ethiopian Government will continue to follow this policy until such time as a full settlement of the Eritrean problem can be reached.

3. His Imperial Majesty was assured that the Department would continue to support Ethiopia’s request for loans from the Export-Import Bank for projects which meet the standards set up by that organization. In this regard, His Imperial Majesty was further assured that similar requests made by the Ethiopian Government for loans from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development would also receive the Department’s sympathetic consideration and support.

4. On the subject of Point IV assistance, His Imperial Majesty was assured that such assistance for Ethiopia had been included in the plans drawn up by the Department of State and that when the program is approved by the Congress of the United States the Department will be glad to enter into discussions with the Ethiopian Government on the details of implementing the Point IV program for Ethiopia.

5. Mr. McGhee commented on the good impression made in the United States by the cordial relations existing between the Ethiopian Government and those American firms now operating in that country. Mr. McGhee expressed the hope that the climate for the investment of American capital in Ethiopia would continue to be favorable and that it might be further improved through the negotiation of a Treaty of Commerce and Friendship between the two countries.

6. His Imperial Majesty was assured that the Department will reexamine Ethiopia’s request for fighter planes for its Air Force and will assist in every appropriate way the officers of the Ethiopian Government to find suitable planes through commercial channels. Mr. McGhee suggested that when the Ethiopian Government finds it possible to obtain the type of planes they require, the Department will endeavor to expedite the granting of licenses for the export of these aircraft.

In conclusion, Mr. McGhee assured His Imperial Majesty of the importance which the United States attached to Ethiopia as a stabilizing influence in its part of the world, and of our desire to assist Ethiopia in its development. He expressed his keen satisfaction with the cordial relations which now exist between the two countries, and expressed his belief that this long standing friendship would continue to be maintained and strengthened.¹

[Washington, April 13, 1950.]

1. A copy of this aide-mémoire was transmitted as an enclosure to instruction No. 10 to Addis Ababa, April 13, not printed (775.00/3–1550). Ambassador Merrell delivered the aide-mémoire on April 27 to the private secretary to the Emperor. (Despatch 89, April 27, from Addis Ababa, not printed; 110.15 Mc/4–2750). A summary of the discussion between the Emperor and McGhee and copies of the two aide-mémoires were sent to Secretary Acheson as attachments to a memorandum from McGhee which stated in part as follows: “In view of the present excellent relations which exist between Ethiopia and the United States, the growing interest of American business seeking to enter Ethiopia and the strategic location of that country, I believe that the substance of this conversation will be of interest to you and the President.” (110.15 Mc/4—1950) On April 27 Secretary Acheson left a copy of the summary with the President. (Memorandum for the President, April 27, not printed; 110.15 Mc/4–2750).