189. Telegram 168649 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Kenya 1 2
Subject:
- Message to Chief of State
Exdis for Ambassador Marshall from the Secretary
1. In light of your recent conversations with Kenyatta and other Kenyan leaders, you should immediately seek an appointment with Kenyatta and give him the following message from me:
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Dear Mr. President:
We do not know the intentions that Uganda may have toward your country in the present circumstances, but we do wish to demonstrate our interest in your independence and sovreignty.
In this regard we would like to make two suggestions. First, if you believe it would be helpful, the United States is prepared to send a P–3 aircraft into Nairobi and despatch a frigate to Mombasa for a peaceful port call. The frigate could arrive in Mombasa within four to five days. I would appreciate receiving your views on the desirability of these proposed movements which we regard as manifestations of our expressions of support.
Second, if you believe an attack is imminent, I suggest that you consider the desirability of requesting that Prime Minister Ramgoolam, as Chairman of the OAU, invoke the conciliatory mechanism of the OAU in the interest of averting an outbreak of conflict. I believe such a step would have the maximum favorable effect on African and general international opinion.
I would appreciate your keeping me informed of your assessment of the situation and of ways in which we might be of appropriate assistance.
Unquote
2. If you are asked regarding any further steps the United States might take, you should make no rpt no comment other than that you will refer query to Washington. You should not rpt not express any personal opinion as to what the United States might do.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Blake, cleared by Habib, approved by Kissinger. Ford, Kissinger, and Rumsfeld discussed the situation in Kenya and Uganda on the morning of July 8, including the possibility of sending an aircraft carrier to the Indian Ocean. Rumsfeld was “inclined not to send the carrier in.” (Memoranda of Conversation, July 8; Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Memoranda of Conversations, Box 20, Ford Administration↩
- Marshall was instructed to give President Kenyatta a letter from Secretary of State Kissinger suggesting that the United States send a P–3 aircraft to Nairobi and a U.S. frigate to Mombasa; and that the OAU invoke the conciliatory mechanism in the event of an imminent attack.↩