Africa Region

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31. Telegram 31 From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State

Ambassador Hummel reported on Acting OAU Secretary General Peter Onu’s view that despite U.S. statements against outside intervention in Angola, Africans still believed the U.S. and South Africa were in de facto collusion. Onu concluded that Assistant Secretary of State William E. Schaufele Jr.’s mission to Africa was therefore counterproductive.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated Immediate to Dakar.


32. Telegram 23 From the Embassy in Senegal to the Department of State

Assistant Secretary Schaufele, traveling in Senegal, responded to Telegram 31 from Addis Ababa (Document 31), by explaining how African moderates had allowed themselves to be steamrolled by a militant minority.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 5, Senegal, State Department Telegrams to SECSTATE—Exdis. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Repeated Niact Immediate to Addis Ababa.


33. Intelligence Appraisal DIAIAPPR 4–76 Prepared by the Defense Intelligence Agency

The Appraisal described growing Soviet involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa during 1975, but predicted that Moscow would suffer setbacks among newly independent nations wary of foreign domination.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files, FRC 330–79–0049, Box 64, Africa 1976. Secret; Noforn.


34. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Schaufele) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Schaufele reviewed likely reactions from African countries if the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) were to impose itself as the recognized government of Angola, and suggested steps the United States should be prepared to take in response.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976, P840010–2098. Secret; Nodis.


35. Telegram 18879 From the Department of State to All African Diplomatic Posts

The Department summarized Kissinger’s remarks to African ambassadors at a January 15 meeting at which U.S.-African relations were discussed.

Source: Department of State, Nairobi Post Files: Lot 79 F 186, Box 5, POL-Africa General, 1976. Confidential. Repeated to London, Paris, Cairo, Tunis, Tripoli, Algiers, Rabat, and USUN. Drafted by Dennis W. Keough (AF/I), cleared by Schaufele, approved by Kissinger.


36. Action Memorandum From the Administrator of the Agency for International Development (Parker) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Parker sought a decision on proposed U.S. initiatives for an International Development Investment Program for the Sahel. He provided three options.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, P760099–1315. Confidential. No action by Kissinger indicated on the recommendations. Drafted by Donald Brown, David Shear, and Caroline McGraw (AID/AFR) on March 9. Concurred in by EB, IO, S/P, H, and Schaufele on March 12.


37. Memorandum From the Director of Central Intelligence (Bush) to President Ford

Bush informed the President of the growing Cuban presence in Africa.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 1, Africa-General (3). Secret. A notation of the memorandum reads: “The President has seen,” and Ford initialed the document. The map attachment indicating the location and number of Cuban advisors and troops in Africa and the attachment detailing the Cubans’ actions are not published.


38. Letter From Congresswoman Yvonne Burke and Congressman Charles Diggs to Secretary of State Kissinger

Burke and Diggs advised Kissinger on issues he should address on his trip to Africa and said he must take advantage of the trip to improve U.S. African policy.

Source: Howard University, Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, Manuscript Department, Charles Diggs Papers, Box 345, Folder 2. No classification marking.


39. Memorandum of Conversation

Secretary of State Kissinger briefed African ambassadors on the purpose of his trip to Africa, and responded to their questions.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 275, Memoranda of Conversations, Chronological File. Secret; Nodis. Drafted by John D. Whiting (AF/I), approved in S on July 7.


41. Memorandum From Malcolm Butler of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Butler outlined the financial implications of the economic assistance commitments implied in Secretary of State Kissinger’s Lusaka speech.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Institutional Files, Box 38, Economic Assistance Commitments in Lusaka Speech. No classification marking. Sent for information. Scowcroft wrote “Thanks” and initialed the top of the document.


42. Memorandum of Conversation

Secretary of State Kissinger briefed President Ford on the strategy and results of his Africa trip, and his goal of preventing the further radicalization of the continent. He also explained the need for a large development fund for Africa.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 19, Ford Administration. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Oval Office of the White House.


43. Memorandum of Conversation

Secretary of State Kissinger provided background for the U.S. economic assistance proposals arising from his trip to Africa, to OMB Director Lynn who responded that there were constraints.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 276, Memoranda of Conversations, Chronological File. Confidential; Nodis. Drafted by Robert M. Beecroft (D), approved in S on May 21. The meeting took place in the Secretary’s office.


44. Minutes of a National Security Council Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger reviewed his trip to Africa, covering Angola, aid to the Sahel, and the need to support key countries such as Zaire, Senegal, Kenya and Zambia.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Meeting File, Box 2. Secret; Nodis. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room of the White House.


45. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger, Under Secretary Robinson, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Joseph A. Greenwald, and Assistant Secretary Schaufele discussed a coordinated approach to African aid.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 10, May 14, 1976. Secret. Kissinger’s reference to a NSC study is presumably referring to NSSM 241, “U.S. Policy in Southern Africa,” scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations, Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa, 1969–1976.


46. Memorandum of Conversation

President Ford, Secretary of State Kissinger, and French President Giscard spoke about Giscard’s Africa Fund proposal and the possibility of organizing a meeting in the near future to discuss it.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 19. Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the Oval Office of the White House.


47. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Schaufele) and the Assistant Administrator for Africa (Scott) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Schaufele and Scott informed Kissinger of developments following from his March 29 decision that the United States should take an active leadership role in Sahel development.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976, P760099–1311. Confidential. Drafted by I. Rosenthal (AFR/SFWA); cleared in (AA/PPC), (AA/LEG), (AFR/SFWA), (AA/AFR), and (AF/W). The attachment is published as Document 36. The President’s FY–78 budget request included $50 million for Sahel development. The Department of State appealed for an increase to $80 million. The appropriation as signed into law as PL 95–88 on August 2, 1977 was $50 million. (Congressional Quarterly, Congress and the Nation, Vol. V, 1977–1980, p. 38) Budget figures on Sahel development requests are in telegram 301276 from the Department of State to the Secretary’s Delegation, December 11. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976)


48. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to Secretary of State Kissinger, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, and Director of Central Intelligence Bush

Scowcroft indicated that in order to take account of Secretary of State Kissinger’s trip to Africa, President Ford had directed that NSSM 241, U.S. Policy in Southern Africa, include two additional points: security and economic requirements of Zaire, Zambia and Kenya, and the feasibility of a major multilateral venture for Sahel development.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, Executive Registry, Job 84 B 00513R, Box 8, NSSM 241. Secret. Copies were sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Director, Office of Management and Budget. NSSM 241, in scheduled for publication in Foreign Relations of the United States, Vol. XXVIII, Southern Africa, 1969–1976. The NSSM 241 study was never completed. An undated draft Summary Overview of the study is found in the Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Institutional Files, Box 43, Submission of Summary Overview of NSSM 241.


49. Briefing Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs (Rogers) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Responding to Kissinger’s request of May 14, published above, Rogers provided options for organizing the African aid initiative stemming from the Giscard proposal.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976, P760099–1246. Confidential. Drafted by Ernest H. Preeg (EUR/RPE), cleared in (AID/AF), (EB), and (AF). William Rogers was appointed Under Secretary of State for Economic and Agricultural Affairs on June 16, 1976. In a May 31 memorandum to Kissinger, Assistant Secretary of State for Economic and Business Affairs Joseph A. Greenwald expressed his objection to Rogers’ proposal to contact foreign leaders about the aid plan. He recommended a much less activist approach. (Ibid., P760099–1294)


50. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford

The memorandum recommended that President Ford issue a Presidential Determination waiving the $40 million ceiling on the amount allowed for security assistance for fiscal year 1976. Ford approved the recommendation.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Subject File, Box 16, Subject File, Presidential Determinations FY 1976. Confidential. Sent for action. Ford initialed his approval. Tab B, Robinson’s report to Ford, dated May 11, and Tab C, Lynn’s concurrence, dated May 26, are not published.


51. Information Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Amos) to Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld

The memorandum provided background information to Rumsfeld for his June 16–18 visit to Kenya and Zaire, the first trip by a U.S. Secretary of Defense to Africa.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–78–0017, Box 3, Africa Region Reading File, June-July 1976. Secret. Drafted by John A. Reed, Africa Regional Director, ISA.


52. Telegram 188577 From the Department of State to All African Diplomatic Posts

The Department transmitted the text of INR Report No. 539, dated July 28, on Giscard’s African Development Fund. The report provided background on the Fund concept, and information on proposed structure and reactions from prospective donors.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Confidential. Repeated to Bonn, Copenhagen, Dublin, The Hague, London Luxembourg, Moscow, Ottawa, Paris, Rome, Tokyo, and the Mission to the European Community. Drafted by Gilbert M. Johnson (INR/REC); cleared in EUR/WE, AF/EPS, EB/IFD, and INR/REC; approved by Martin Packman (INR/DDR).


53. Telegram 190919 From the Department of State to All African Diplomatic Posts

Secretary of State Kissinger asked that Ambassadors of addressee posts bring to the attention of host country chiefs of state his speech to the Urban League, with a message that the speech enunciated major elements of U.S. policy toward Africa.

Source: National Archives, RG 84, Nairobi Embassy Files: Lot 79 F 186, Box 5, POL-Africa General, 1976. Limited Official Use; Priority. Repeated Priority to Rabat, Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, and Cairo. Drafted and cleared in AF; approved by Kissinger. The full text of the speech was published in the State Department Bulletin, Vol. LXXV, No. 1939, August 23, 1976, pp. 257–265, and was transmitted to all African diplomatic posts in telegram 190949, August 2. (Ibid., Box 7, POL 2 Reports/Statistics 1976)


54. Telegram 212737 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tanzania

The telegram transmitted a letter from Secretary of State Kissinger to French Foreign Minister Jean Sauvagnargues expressing support for the Giscard Fund for African Development, but noting concerns about its structure and operation.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted and approved by Roger A. Sorenson (PB), cleared in S/S. The text of the aide-mémoire was not found. No final decision regarding U.S. support for the Giscard Fund for African Development was made before the end of the Ford administration. Kissinger continued to support the Fund in public statements, including in a toast to African foreign ministers on October 8. (Department of State Bulletin, Vol. LXXV, No. 1949, November 1, 1976, p. 560)


55. National Intelligence Estimate 11–10–76

The Estimate reviewed Soviet military policy in the third world. It noted that although Soviet military aid to sub-Saharan Africa was quite small, because the military was frequently the most important element in African politics, such aid had helped the USSR to compete with both the West and China for influence.

Source: Central Intelligence Agency, NIC Files, Job 79 R 01012A. Secret; Noforn; Nocontract. The Central Intelligence Agency and the intelligence organizations of the Departments of State, Defense, Treasury, and the National Security Agency participated in the preparation of this Estimate. The Director of CIA submitted this estimate with the concurrence of all members of the USIB, with the exception of the representatives of the Department of the Treasury. Only the section on Africa is published here.


56. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to President Ford

Scowcroft asked Ford to take five actions permitting ratification of U.S. membership in the African Development Fund.

Source: Ford Library, White House Central Files, Subject Files, Box 1, IT 1 African Development Fund. No classification marking. Sent for action. Ford initialed his approval of Recommendation C. The tabs were not attached, but action occurred; see Document 57.


57. Memorandum From Secretary of the Cabinet (Connor) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Following up on the Scowcroft memorandum to President Ford of November 10 (Document 56), Conner reviewed the actions that Ford took to authorize U.S. membership in the African Development Fund.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 1, Africa General (4). Administratively Confidential. Copies were sent to Cheney, Bennett, and Linder. A handwritten note next to sections A and B reads: “11/18 At State—to be sent out.” A handwritten note next to section C reads: “11/24 Going to be signed this week. A handwritten note next to D reads: “12/15 Subsequently done says Matt Hennessey.”