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

82. Telegram 43589 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia¹ ²

Washington, March 9, 1973, 1505Z

Subj:

• Recommendations on US Military Assistance Policy

Ref:

• Addis 2331

1. Dept, DOD and other agencies carefully studying reftel recommendations. Our preliminary reactions and questions include the following.

2. We do not think visit of high level delegation to Washington (para 10 D) would be useful in any case as we fully aware IEG views on qte Somali threat unqte and believe any discussions on specific military needs should be carried out through MAAG in Addis. You should continue oppose sending such mission.

3. While President’s schedule remains so full that we could not in good conscience recommend official visit at this time, were Emperor planning to be in US enroute to earlier mentioned state visits to Latin America, Dept would be willing explore possibilities of arranging business meeting with President for Emperor. In this connection any info on Emperor’s travel plans that can be discreetly obtained without giving impression meeting with President likely would be helpful.

4. Fuller reply to reftel will follow.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL ETH-US. Secret. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Mogadiscio, Nairobi, Asmara, and USCINCEUR. Drafted by Melone on March 2; cleared in S/CPR, AF/RA, White House, PM/MAS, OSD/ISA, S/S, and AF/E; approved by Newsom.
2. A preliminary interagency response to Embassy requests discouraged both an Ethiopian delegation visit to Washington and an official visit by the Emperor, but offered to pursue a business meeting for the Emperor with President Nixon.