152. Telegram 277323 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Somalia1 2
Subject: US/Somali Relations
1. Summary: During his call on Deputy Secretary Ingersoll Nov. 21, Somali Ambassador Addou, referring to US decision to resume an aid program, noted improvement in US/Somali relations, and asked what further steps USG might be willing to take in Somalia’s direction. In this connection, he raised possibility of US military aid to replace any decline in Soviet military aid. Deputy Secretary replied that having decided to restore aid, we were now awaiting some move by GSDR to indicate a desire on its part for closer relations. Until such time as GSDR made reciprocal move, it would be premature to discuss what other steps USG might take. We were not in a position to provide or even discuss military aid at this time. End summary.
2. Ambassador Addou called on Deputy Secretary Ingersoll on Nov. 21. Addou explained that he was returning to Mogadiscio for consultations next week and, prior to his departure, wished to review with Deputy Secretary the future of US/Somali relations in light of the US decision to renew its aid program, the congressional visits to Somalia, and recent Somali “moderation” at the United Nations. In response to Deputy Secretary’s comment that we were unaware of GSDR’s taking moderate positions on recent UN issues, Addou explained that Somali support of hostile resolution on Korea was due to commitments made prior to beginning of improved relations with US, and that, in spite of heavy pressure from North Korean and other communist delegations, statement by Somali PermRep was objective and moderate in tone.
3. Deputy Secretary also asked why GSDR took stand in support of MPLA government in Angola, which was contrary to OAU position and that of majority of other African states. Again, Addou said genesis of this decision preceded improvement in US/Somali relations, since it was result of commitments made two years ago to visiting MPLA delegation.
4. In response to question by Deputy Secretary as to what date Addou regarded as demarcation line in our relations, Addou said he hoped that the end of 1975 would mark the beginning of visible signs by GSDR for a better relationship with the US. He added that Somalia looked forward to greater cooperation, and he would like to be able to inform President Siad how far US would be willing to go in AID and other programs if Somalia revised some of its positions. He spoke particularly of US concern over the “so called” Soviet presence in Somalia.
5. Deputy Secretary noted that even though we remained concerned by the Soviet presence in Somalia, we looked forward to better relations with Somalia, as evidenced by our decision to resume aid. Since we took this important step GSDR has given no concrete signal that it values better relations with US. In the absence of any such sign Deputy Secretary could not foresee any advance in U.S. position. A favorable step by Somalia would also help us justify to Congress the moves we had taken and any moves we might later consider.
6. Addou said that he did not see much chance of Somalia’s moving significantly away from the USSR unless President Siad could be assured that military assistance was available elsewhere. He mentioned the Somali fear of a strong Ethiopia. Addou noted that US gave military aid to Ethiopia while USSR gave arms to Somalia. Deputy Secretary commented that with Somalia’s irridentist policy, Ethiopia had more reason to be concerned about Somalia than vice-versa. Addou wondered whether the US might be willing to consider replacing Soviet military support.
7. Deputy Secretary replied that our relations were not yet at the point even to discuss such a question. Let us first see what reciprocal gesture Somalia is willing to make and how non-military aid and relations develop. for our part we welcome warmer relations. USG is not asking Somalia to cut off her present relationships, but is looking for more balance in those relationships. He was well aware that Amb. Addou also wanted closer relations and was working diligently to achieve this objective. Deputy Secretary hoped that during his consultations Addou could encourage the GSDR to move in that direction.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1975. Confidential; Priority; Limdis. Repeated to Addis Ababa and Moscow. Drafted by Scott and Coote (AF/E); cleared by D and S/S; approved in AF/E.↩
- The Department summarized Deputy Secretary Ingersoll’s November 21 discussion with Somali Ambassador Addou regarding attempts to improve U.S.-Somali relations.↩