110. Letter From the Deputy Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Murphy) to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Gray)1
Dear Mr. Gray: During the past year there has been a deterioration in the cordial relationship and influence the United States has enjoyed with Ethiopia. To some extent, the difficulties result from a feeling on the part of the Ethiopian Government that the United [Page 328] States underestimates the political value of Ethiopian cooperation while engaging in a policy of seeking to secure cooperation from less friendly governments. This attitude has taken the form of rapidly growing discontent with the volume and scope of United States assistance. Pro-United States groups in Ethiopia have been weakened while the influence of the xenophobic clique which favors isolationist or neutralist policies has increased. At the same time, hostile Egyptian activities have been expanding in Ethiopia and immediately surrounding areas. The willingness of Egypt to do business with the Soviet Union and bloc countries has provided Communist forces with an ally in their own intensified efforts to establish themselves firmly in Northeast Africa.
These activities are in themselves sufficiently serious to warrant revision of our Ethiopian policy. The need for such action is even more apparent in view of the Near Eastern situation, where neutralist or outright hostile elements are making cooperation more difficult with certain Arab governments. Politically stable, geographically desirable and still friendly in attitude, Ethiopia is a country in which the United States can build a position of strength in the area. In achieving this broadly political objective, we would also be working in the direction of establishing a crescent of friendly countries south and west of Egypt. If such a grouping proves possible, we shall not only reinforce our Middle East position but provide an obstruction to the further penetration of Africa by inimical forces.
In the past we have been largely successful in obtaining our relatively modest objectives in Ethiopia because of the friendly attitude of the Ethiopian Government, particularly Emperor Haile Selassie. He has recognized the practical values to Ethiopia of close cooperation with the United States, both as a counterpoise to the foreign influences and as a means of obtaining necessary assistance in the modernization of his country. Under present circumstances, however, the courses of action we have been pursuing lack the necessary scope and magnitude. I believe that prompt action should be taken to remedy this situation.
It is recommended, therefore, that the Department of Defense approve a military aid program in FY 1957 in the magnitude of $5 million for the training and equipping of the Ethiopian army.2 I [Page 329] believe that there are overriding political considerations supporting such a program if we are to retain our influence in Ethiopia and move effectively towards establishing long-term strength for the American position in Northeast Africa. I understand that Ethiopian military needs have been surveyed by the MAAG in Addis Ababa and that its recommendations are already in the possession of the Defense Department. I, therefore, hope that a satisfactory aid program can be worked out while our Ambassador to Ethiopia, Mr. Simonson, and the MAAG Chief, Colonel Berry, are in Washington for consultation this month.
I am sending a copy of this letter to Mr. Hollister.
Sincerely yours,
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 775.5–MSP/7–556. Secret.↩
- On March 21, Gray informed Murphy that the Department of Defense intended to request $554,000 for Ethiopia from Congress in fiscal year 1957. He recognized the necessity for a longer range military aid program, but noted that its content would be influenced by the ongoing reorganization of the Ethiopian Army. (Ibid., AF/NE Files: Lot 67 D 226, Military Assistance Jan.–June 1956) On July 19, Gray indicated that the Department of Defense shared the Department of State’s concern over the deterioration in relations with Ethiopia and recognized the political necessity of the proposed $5 million program. The Department of Defense required assurance that the funding would be provided from Section 401(b) so that other priority requirements would not be affected. This section permitted expenditure of funds under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act (68 Stat. 843) in cases where the President determined it was in the security interest of the United States. (Ibid., Military Assistance July–Dec. 1956)↩
- Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.↩