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

314. Policy Planning Paper for Somalia¹ ²

Washington, May 1971

SOMALIA: Policy Planning Paper

A. U.S. Interests in Somalia

1. Somaliaʼs geographic location on the Indian Ocean at the entrance to the Red Sea, its role in the Horn of Africa and its potential impact on US interests in Ethiopia, e.g., Kagnew Station.

2. Somaliaʼs vote as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council through the end of 1972.

3. Occasional military access to port and airport facilities and permission for space support and military overflights.

B. U.S. Objectives Over the Next Five Years

1. Continuation of the detente in the Horn of Africa.

2. A policy of true Somali non-alignment.

3. A strengthening of Somaliaʼs ties with the West in general and Italy in particular.

4. Limited U.S. access to Somali ports and airports.

5. Freedom of action for American private enterprise in Somalia, especially in oil exploration.

6. Some U.S. influence within the military elements of the GSDR.

7. Restriction of Soviet efforts to use Somalia as an instrument of Russian policy in the Horn and Indian Ocean.

C. Somali Objectives Vis-a-Vis the U.S.

1. Avoid dependence on or identification with United States, while still using Western countries, including United States, as counter-poise to Communist influence in Somalia.

2. Obtain Western aid, including from United States, provided it does not compromise Somaliaʼs version of non-alignment.

3. Restrict U.S. influence in Africa and curb U.S. actions which it considers “neo-colonial.”

4. Encourage, when obviously advantageous to Somalia, U.S. private investment and mineral exploiting activities.

5. On rare occasion use U.S. good offices with the Ethiopian and Kenyan Governments in efforts to resolve potentially serious incidents with those countries.

D. Recommended Courses of Action

1. Continue and expand the dialogue between US officials and Somali leaders; deal directly, patiently and persistently with charges of anti-Somali attitudes and actions on the part of the U.S.

2. Support constructive Somali efforts to improve the efficiency of its government and increase its economic development.

3. Encourage regional cooperation by a) exploring ways of opening up the interchange of ideas and experience in technical and education fields and, b) encouraging projects with Somaliaʼs neighbors, including U.S. assistance where possible.

4. Provide, as feasible and when requested, informal good offices in connection with relations among countries of the Horn.

5. Insofar as possible, provide Somali officials with USG reactions to instances where we perceive GSDR is veering wide from its proclaimed nonalignment policy.

6. Should Somali flag vessels discontinue their port calls to North Vietnam and Cuba, consider resumption of a small US bilateral aid program.

7. Support American private enterprise in Somalia where it currently exists and encourage the establishment of new American enterprises in areas in which the Somali Government genuinely welcomes foreign investment.

8. Seek to maintain periodic access of U.S. Navy ships to Somali ports and be prepared to request airport facilities and permission for overflights for military aircraft as required.

9. Maintain present USIS activity level to the best of its curtailed presence, stressing the English teaching pro—gram and using the presence of the Regional Youth Officer to further enhance personal contacts with Somali target groups.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 Somali-US. Secret; Noforn. Drafted by Holmes and approved in AF.
2. This paper was transmitted from the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia under cover of Airgram A–13, drafted by Acting Secretary of State Johnson, May 17, 1971. Johnson stated that the paper constituted an official statement of U.S. policy towards Somalia. Objectives included ditente in the Horn, true non-alignment, ties with the West, U.S. access to ports and airports, oil exploration, and restriction of Soviet efforts in the area.