Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–6, Documents on Africa, 1973–1976

150. National Security Study Memorandum 233¹ ²

Washington, October 23, 1975

TO:

• The Secretary of Defense
• The Deputy Secretary of State
• The Director of Central Intelligence

SUBJECT:

• The Future of Kagnew Station

In view of the continued internal security problems in Ethiopia, their impact on the U.S. operation at Kagnew Station, and the Ethiopian Government’s request that we discuss a date for the station’s closure, the President has directed a review of U.S. interests in a continued presence at Kagnew Station.

The study should:

• —Describe in detail the strategic, tactical and operational considerations supporting continued use of the Kagnew facility, together with an assessment of the feasibility of performing its functions from alternate locations and the effect of terminating them.
• —Assess how United States interests in Ethiopia and regional stability may be affected by continued presence in or, alternatively, departure from Kagnew.
• —Estimate the likelihood and extent of continued military conflict between the Ethiopian Government and the Eritrean insurgency and the extent to which our Kagnew facility and personnel will continue to be targets in that conflict.

Based upon the assessment of the foregoing and any other relevant considerations, the study should determine the value of Kagnew to the United States and evaluate alternate policies for the future of the base and the functions it performs.

The study should be prepared by an ad hoc group chaired by the representative of the Secretary of Defense and including representatives of the addresses and the National Security Council Staff. Differing agency judgments should be set forth clearly.

The study should be submitted to the NSC Senior Review Group by November 6.

Brent Scowcroft for
Henry A. Kissinger

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Brent Scowcroft Daily Work Files, Box 17, Chronological File B. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
2. Secretary of State Kissinger tasked the Departments of State and Defense, and the CIA to review U.S. interests in a continued presence at Kagnew Station.