Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Africa, Volume XVIII

119. Telegram From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State¹

Addis Ababa, April 16, 1957—5 p.m.

760. From Richards. In meeting April 15 with Foreign Minister and three aides,² I reviewed American doctrine briefly, emphasizing its voluntary character. Foreign Minister stated no one doubted good intentions of US and referred to US championing of rights of small nations. He described his own efforts bring about closer ties with US, then reviewed traditional pro-West and pro-American stand of Ethiopia. He next gave long exposition of problems faced by Ethiopia, some of which were result its pro-American posture mentioning (1) British efforts detach Ethiopian territory for Greater Somaliland, (2) hostile radio broadcasts from radios Cairo and Hargeisa, (3) opposition to Ethiopian policies by Syria, Egypt and other members of Afro-Asian group, which created serious difficulties in UN on matters vital to Ethiopia. (He claimed US itself had given insufficient support on such matters as Somalia frontiers.) Foreign Minister stressed criticism to which he was personally subjected because of his pro-Western stand at very time Ethiopia beset by difficulties with UK and France. Continuing his list of complaints, he said US had told him to go to IBRD for aid in developing Port of Assab; IBRD had asked why Ethiopia did not use French port of Djibouti—shocking matter since Ethiopia lost Italian War because of blockage imposed at Djibouti. He also referred to US announcement of aid for High Aswan Dam without consulting Ethiopia. Despite all this Foreign Minister said close political collaboration with US would continue but US aid needed. He mentioned risks to which Ethiopia subjected by presence US base without commitment of US to defend country or even base itself. Ethiopia willing negotiate new facilities requested by US but Ethiopia needs should be recognized. He asserted particularly that large amounts of aid had been promised Saudi Arabia which is comparably richer than Ethiopia and not particularly friendly. While disclaiming intention criticize US aid policy he said Ethiopia must assume that US as world leader will extend aid on basis of some “equilibrium”. (Most of this presentation was simply elaboration of statements made to me by Emperor during audience earlier in day.³)

Foreign Minister concluded by recalling memorandum given Vice President Nixon setting forth Ethiopia’s military needs. He asked for consideration these requirements and following economic assistance items: (1) radio station to offset radio Cairo and other insidious propaganda, (2) helicopter, one for Emperor’s own use, (3) police equipment to assure internal security, (4) ships, Ethiopia having discovered during recent Suez closure that it needs own merchant marine, and (5) cereals and seed grains needed as result crop failure anticipated by cause of unseasonable rains.

I commented that much of this discussion was outside my frame of reference but philosophized briefly on inevitability that US position in world brought with it many problems and conflicts in our attempts to be fair and even-handed. I undertook report his views concerning intra-area problems to President and Secretary. I made point of saying that Egypt fully understood during High Dam negotiations that we would insist upon request for rights of all riparian states.

I said I felt that US friendship was worth more than dangers involved in presence of its bases and doubted that these dangers were serious. I commented he might not think international Communism was now major danger to Ethiopia, but some countries behind Iron Curtain had once felt same way. Foreign Minister said he had not meant to criticize US or imply Ethiopia would be attacked because of friendship with US but was only describing political facts that create problems for Ethiopia.

Simonson

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/4–1657. Secret. Niact. Repeated to Cairo, Khartoum, and Jidda. Regarding the Richards Mission, see Document 17.
2. John Spencer, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Ato Gashaou Zallaka, and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ato Ketema Yifru. (Memorandum of conversation by Troxel, April 15; ibid., NEA Files: Lot 57 D 616, Richards Mission)
3. The Emperor repeated essentially the same things he had told the Vice President the previous month. (Aide-Mémoire from the Imperial Ethiopian Government, April 15; ibid., Ethiopia)