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

318. Telegram 121360 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Somalia¹ ²

Washington, July 7, 1971, 0051Z

FOR AMBASSADOR

SUBJECT:

• Ambassadorʼs Departure Plans

REF:

• State 119529; Mogadiscio 1334

1. We are increasingly concerned that five American-owned craft being detained Mogadiscio are not likely to be released prior to your scheduled departure July 14. While we realize that you already have postponed your departure longer than you had initially planned, depending on progress (or lack thereof) during current week in resolving this incident, we believe that it would be desirable for you to remain at post at least until we have good indication that craft will be released. If Gen. Samantar can be taken at his word, we assume official GSDR position should be communicated to Embassy soon.

2. Harold Muckley and/or George Savage of Houston Contracting Company still planning go to Somalia, possibly arriving late this week. As noted State 118701 William Clements and/or Gil Clements of SEDCO Inc. may also proceed Somalia later in month. SEDCO and Houston Contracting Co. officials have expressed their appreciation for outstanding support they have received from you personally and from Embassy generally. Your departure, if we still far from obtaining release of crew and craft, likely to be misunderstood by these officials, who up to now have accepted restraints recommended by Dept.

3. Your departure may also indicate to GSDR that USG is becoming less interested in resolving problem. This is especially true since you, as Ambassador, have best access to top Somali officials and you personally have been handling contacts with GSDR on this matter to date. Therefore, until we can see more light at end of tunnel than currently exists, request you plan remain in Mogadiscio beyond July 14. We regret any complications this decision may have on your personal arrangements, but as matter currently stands, we see no acceptable alternative to this course of action.

4. Dept does not know if GSDR aware your scheduled July 14 departure nor how far you have proceeded with farewell calls. Therefore, we leave to you best tactics in handling any delay in your departure. You may wish, for example, to use pretext of departure to schedule certain calls, e.g. on Gen Siad, at which you would raise subject of detained craft; then decide at last minute to stay until there is significant breakthrough towards resolving matter.
End

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 33–4 Somali-US. Confidential. Drafted by Shinn; cleared in AF/E, AF/EX and PER/CA; and approved by Moore. Repeated to Accra and Nairobi.
2. The Department instructed Ambassador Hadsel to delay his end-of-assignment departure until the release of the crew and vessels was certain. If the ambassador were to depart prior to the release, it might seem to indicate that the U.S. Government was becoming less interested in resolving the problem.