Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume XXVIII, Southern Africa

158. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Zaire¹

Washington, December 20, 1975, 0332Z.

299943. Subject: Angola: Holding the Line. For Ambassador from the Secretary.

You should request immediate meeting with Mobutu to pass on to him message on Angola from the Secretary based on following talking points.

1) We greatly appreciate staunch support which Zaire continues to provide for realization our common objectives and Secretary welcomed opportunity to exchange views with Commissioner of State for Foreign Affairs Bula: in Paris.²

2) The President should know that despite the recent Congressional discussions here, we still have sufficient funds available to continue our program of resistance to Soviet intervention over the immediate period ahead. And, we will have a new opportunity to go back to the Congress for additional funds in January.

3) We want to assure Mobutu that U.S. determination to continue to resist Soviet attempt to implant itself in Angola has not diminished. We have undisbursed funds still available and we are looking at other options if they prove necessary.

4) We believe that only through continued resistance to the Soviet intervention can we hope to achieve the solution we seek. Therefore in close collaboration with Mobutu and others we will meet the present challenge. This is a critical period in which we must keep a steady course.

5) We urge Mobutu and his government to continue its effective assistance to the FNLA and UNITA.

6) In addition, during the interim before January OAU meeting on Angola, we suspect pro-MPLA African states may make concerted drive to increase number of African states recognizing MPLA to point that, by sheer numbers, OAU decisions will be determined by them. Since our common position is to achieve negotiated solution within purely Angolan and African context the success of such a drive could produce exactly opposite result. It would be better to avoid any OAU action if it likely to be adverse. We strongly urge that Mobutu redouble his efforts, during this uncertain and possibly decisive period, to block possibility of further African recognition of MPLA.

7) As the Secretary mentioned to Foreign Minister Bula in Paris, he would like his new Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Ambassador William Schaufele, to travel to Zaire next week for discussions with the President on the situation in Angola. The Secretary believes it is essential at this time to maintain our common strategy towards Angola, and would welcome the opportunity for such an exchange of views if the President believes it would be useful.

8) FYI: Our major aim with this message is to head off any imminent panic which might have undesirable effects on Angolan situation. End FYI.

Kissinger

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 7, Zaire—State Department Telegrams, From SecState—Nodis. Secret; Immediate; Nodis. Drafted by Schaufele and approved by Kissinger. Similar messages were sent toLibreville, Dakar, Monrovia, Abidjan, and Bangui in telegram 299944, December 20, and to Lusaka in telegram 299947, December 20. (Both ibid.)
2. See Document 149.