Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969–1972

267. Telegram 8346 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia¹ ²

Washington, January 17, 1969, 2055Z

JOINT STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE

Subject:

• Ethiopia MAP

Refs:

• (a) Addis 7004, 17 Dec 1968
• (b) Addis 7044, 20 Dec 1968

1. Following provided in order you may have full range our present plans and thinking for your own background updating.

2. In context African and worldwide MAP resource limitations, Ethiopia program has fared well. It has not taken severe cuts suffered by other programs. In fact, program had been increased measurably over original projections in past few years to cover extraordinary additional items, such as F–5s, helicopters, and additional tanks. Twelve million dollars annually allocated for FY 69 and proposed for FY 70 should not suggest any lessoning of interest in or withdrawal of support for Ethiopia. There has been no change in our policy or objectives.

3. The FY 69 MAP will provide $4.8 million for new investment items and $7.2 million for operating costs. In FY 70 $3.5 million is allocated to investment items (including the completion of the Herter buyout and the first two C–119Ks) and $8.5 million is available for operating costs (including replacement items).

4. The following comments relate to paragraph 2 of ref b (re attrition vehicles, F–5s, CONUS training, ammunition): A. Vehicles. Army mobility will be materially enhanced in both years. FY 69 MAP will add 246 trucks and 229 trailers. FY 70 MAP presently proposes 110 new vehicles and 742 trailers. B. Attrition F–5 Aircraft. As you know, we had planned to cancel or as minimum defer the provision of an attrition F–5 in any case. If an attrition aircraft should in fact be required at a later date, we will consider the possibility of providing one, at appropriate MAP costs when the USAF F–5 training facility ceases operations. C. CONUS Training. In FY 69 we will train 159 students (cost $633 thousand) and in FY 70 plan to train 144 students (cost $629 thousand). These levels represent only small reductions from the FY 68 program of $673 thousand. D. Training Ammunition. The FY 69 program contains $1.6 million for training ammunition and over $2.6 million is planned for FY 70. Amounts of training ammunition programmed in both years represent a major increase over the levels of FY 67 ($811 thousand) and FY 68 ($1.18 million). Current forecasts in the FY 70–74 MAP plans reflect an annual requirement for training ammunition averaging $2.6 million over the next five years. We believe detailed review should be made of actual requirements for hard core essential weapons training. In view high percentage total operating costs forecast for training ammunition, suggested review may reveal areas potential savings without adverse effect in essential training.

5. Foregoing levels of support and high level of planned deliveries including trucks, communications equip, and ammo during FY 69 and FY 70 should be clear demonstration continued US interest and support. Obviously, somewhat higher MAP levels for these years would be helpful, but they are not in the cards. Hopefully, Embassy will be able to make telling points with Ethiopians by pointing to high levels of MAP we have been able to maintain for Ethiopia in light of drastic reductions in overall MAP appropriations from approximately $1 billion in FY 66 to $375 million in FY 69.

6. Assume all members of mission aware that total dollar values of program year (FY 69), budget year (FY 70) and later years not releaseable to IEG and that in discussion of item content of budget year (FY 70) program it must be made clear there is no USG commitment to deliver specific items from the program since adjustments may be required as result of Congressional action.
END

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967–69, DEF 19 US–ETH. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Colonel Hadley (DOD/ISA) and J.A. Buche (AF/NE); cleared in AF/I, AF/NE, DOD/ISA, and JCS; and approved by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Palmer. Repeated to CINCSTRIKE/USCINCMEAFSA and CHMAAG Addis Ababa.
2. This joint Department of State-Department of Defense telegram informed the Embassy that Ethiopia would receive $12 million in Military Assistance Program (MAP) funding in Fiscal Year (FY) 69 and in FY 70.