Office of the Historian

775.5 MSP/5–1552: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia1

secret
Washington, May 15, 1952—5:57 p.m.

377. 1. Director MS found and determined May 12 Ethio eligible receive reimbursable mil assistance under Section 408(e) MDAA.2 You are authorized inform Ethio Govt this fact and state you are prepared enter into exchange of notes as required by Act. Text of suggested note forwarded to Emb by transmittal slip Apr 25.

2. Early conclusion bilateral agreement considered desirable in view decision Dept Defense mentioned Deptel 3453 that future contingents Ethio troops returning from Korea must obtain small arms under provision [Section] 408 (e) MDAA. Since Ethios attach great importance returning troops retaining weapons they may wish submit necessary request soonest after agreement concluded. Army informing MA necessary procedures for Ethios to follow in submitting request. Dept will send similar info to Emb.

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3. You are requested inform Ethios US wld like publicize agreement after sig and ascertain whether objections perceived. In any event US obliged register agreement with UN SYG in due time, but this can be made matter months. Also mandatory Congressional Comites be notified before any actual trans of material, but publicity can be minimized if Ethios desire.

4. Advise if any delay expected in concluding agreement.4

Acheson
  1. This telegram was drafted by Beard (AF) and cleared in the offices of Colonel Coffey (Army), Bryan (S/MSA), Elliott (MD), Daspit (NEA), and Berry (NEA).↩
  2. The letter from Harriman, dated May 12, is not printed. (775.5 MSP/5–1252) For Section 408(e) of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act, as amended, see 64 Stat. 373; 22 U.S.C. 1591.↩
  3. Apr. 25; not printed. It reported a letter from the Department of Defense stating that Defense would not be able to provide small arms to future contingents of Ethiopian troops returning from Korea unless the two countries first negotiated an agreement for reimbursable aid. It also informed the Embassy that Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff had just concurred in a Department of State recommendation that Ethiopia be granted reimbursable aid. (775.56/42552)↩

  4. Despatch 496 from Addis Ababa, June 19, transmitted copies of the note from the Ambassador to the Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, setting forth the terms and conditions of payment for reimbursable military aid for Ethiopia. It also transmitted the Foreign Minister’s reply, dated June 13, accepting those terms. (775.5 MSP/6–1952) For the text of this agreement, see Department of State Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) No. 2751 or United States Treaties and Other International Agreements (UST), vol. 3, p. 5498.

    Despatch 65 from Addis Ababa, Aug. 12, 1952, transmitted a copy of an agreement signed by the Ethiopian Foreign Minister accepting in principle the U.S. proposal for the reorganization of the Ethiopian Armed Forces and requesting specific arms and equipment on a reimbursable basis. (775.5/8–1252)

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