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

245. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Eliot) to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)¹ ²

Washington, July 6, 1973

Subject:

• Two More Telegrams from Ugandan President Amin

On July 3 General Amin sent telegrams to Presidents Nixon and Lon Nol which criticize in insulting terms United States policies in Cambodia and elsewhere. Although we usually simply ignore Amin’s steady stream of vituperation, these are perhaps his most obnoxious messages yet involving the President and they clearly call for a firm reaction on our part.

The Department spokesman on July 5 termed Amin’s messages totally unacceptable in both substance and tone. He noted that Ambassador Melady, who has been here on consultation for five months now, will not be returning to Kampala and that under present circumstances, we have no intention to nominate a new ambassador.

On July 6 the Department called in the Ugandan Charge to reject Amin’s assertions which grossly distort our foreign policies, to question whether Uganda wishes to reciprocate our desire for good relations, and to inform the Charge of our decision not to appoint a new ambassador at this time. Our own Charge in Kampala has delivered a similar written and oral protest to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American presence in Uganda continues to shrink. Practically all of our AID employees have departed and our Embassy staff is down to 12 essential employees and their families plus six Marine Guards. The private American community numbers about 280.

Robert Blackwill for
Theodore L. Eliot, Jr.
Executive Secretary

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 15–1 Uganda. Confidential. Drafted by Schreiber (AF/E); Concurred in by AF/E and AF; Robert Blackwill signed for Eliot.
2. Eliot reported that General Amin had sent two telegrams to President Nixon and Cambodian President Lon Nol criticizing U.S. policy in Cambodia, and that the Department responded by publicly announcing that Ambassador Melady would not return to Uganda nor would a new ambassador be nominated.