Office of the Historian

304. Telegram 2653 From the Embassy in Somalia to the Department of State1 2

Mogadiscio, November 3, 1970, 1110Z
[Page 1]

Suggest Dept pass Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, London, Nairobi, New Delhi, Port Louis, Tananarive

Subj.

  • Indian Ocean Situation

Ref:

  • State 195870

1. If, in due course, we instructed inform GSDR of US–UK plans for establishment communications and support facilities on Diego Garcia we anticipate strongly negative reaction which will include public condemnation project as colonialist, imperialist venture designed inter alia to subvert freedom independent African states. Given Foreign Secretary Omar Artehʼs strong feelings on African independence and on “imperialist” interference African affairs, as evidenced most recently in Somali reaction to attack on Guinea, it likely GSDR would support, perhaps even seek to initiate, resolutions condemning project in OAU and UN. Moreover there is further danger that this joint US–UK project will be linked by Somalis to UK “decision” to sell arms to South Africa. Somalis and other Africans may well consider such joint venture evidence of US support for British in this initiative.

2. In view detailed newspaper stories concerning project which have recently appeared in US, UK, Kenyan and Ethiopian press it likely that speculation on subject will begin soon in Somali official media. As distortions and misconceptions certain to grow out of such speculation and become accepted as gospel in public mind and in view suspicion of US motives which already exists within GSDR factual briefing on project maybe lesser evils. While [Page 2] timely briefing will not prevent negative reaction it likely, at least, help authorities privately to view subject in better perspective.

3. In general, we anticipate that announcement Diego Garcia project will, for a time at least, further deepen Somali suspicions of US motives and will be set back to gradually improving US-Somali relations.

Hadsel
  1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 744, Country Files, Africa, Somalia Republic, Vol. I. Secret; Exdis.↩
  2. The ambassador stated that when plans for the Diego Garcia base were announced, the U.S. should expect a strong negative reaction from the Somali Government, condemning the action as a colonialist, imperialist venture designed to subvert the freedom of African states.↩