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

159. National Security Study Memorandum 239¹ ²

Washington, March 22, 1976

TO:

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

SUBJECT:

• The Future of the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (FTAI)

The French Government has announced its intention to grant independence to the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (FTAI). In light of this decision and increased tension among the states most directly concerned with the future of FTAI, the President has directed a study of the independence process for the FTAI and policy options for the United States.

Drawing as appropriate on the study on the Horn of Africa done earlier in response to NSSM 184, the study should:

• —Define and assess United States interests in the Horn and analyze how these interests may be affected by the coming independence of the FTAI.
• —Examine various possible scenarios for the achievement of the independence of the FTAI.
• —Describe and analyze the political groups and leadership in the FTAI and their likely roles in the independence process and beyond.
• —Assess French, Somali, and Ethiopian interests and intentions regarding the FTAI and its forthcoming independence.
• —Assess the impact the independence process will have on Somali/Ethiopian relations, on the internal security of those two states, and on U.S. /French interests in northern
• —Examine the interests and intentions with regard to the FTAI of interested Arab states, the USSR, Cuba and the People’s Republic of China. Also examine OAU and UN attitudes toward independence of the FTAI and possible roles they might play in the independence process.

Based upon the foregoing, the study should evaluate U.S. goals with regard to the FTAI and alternative policy options for achieving these goals. The study should be prepared by the NSC Interdepartmental Group for Africa. The study should be submitted to the NSC Senior Review Group by April 23, 1976.

Brent Scowcroft

1. Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Institutional File, Box 39, IF/NS File for the President, Response to NSSM 239. Secret. A copy was sent to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. NSSM 184 is printed as Document 89.
2. Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Scowcroft notified the Departments of State and Defense and the CIA that President Ford had directed a study of the independence process of the French Territory of the Afars and the Issas (FTAI) and policy options for the United States. The directive was prompted by the impending independence of the FTAI and increased Ethiopian-Somali tension.