155. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Zambia1
Tosec 40312/110995. Nairobi—for Ambassador Low, White House—Brzezinski. Subject: Message From President Carter to President Kaunda. Lisbon for A Lake, S/P with the Vice President’s party. Ref: Lusaka 1303.2
1. You should arrange to deliver as soon as possible the following letter from President Carter to President Kaunda in response to his message contained reftel.
2. Quote. Dear Mr. President: I have received your urgent message of May 14 and share your concern at any further escalation of the conflict in Rhodesia that would involve Zambia. It is precisely to avoid this kind of thing that we have agreed with the British to undertake a new initiative to find a peaceful solution in Rhodesia.
Expansion of warfare and violence can only harm the interests of all the parties in the area. It is our hope that all will act in a manner which will leave open the path to peace. In this regard you can be assured that we will be in close touch with the British to find ways to urge caution and restraint upon Ian Smith.3
While we have no information to confirm what you say about South African involvement in Rhodesian military planning, I have issued instructions for representations to be made in Cape Town in order that both the South Africans and Rhodesians might know the [Page 421] seriousness with which we would regard any Rhodesian incursions into Zambia.4 This is no time for threats from any side.
I know of the dedication and sacrifice that you and your nation have given to the cause of peace in Africa and we will continue to work with you to preserve our strong hope that negotiations rather than warfare will be the path taken to bring about independence for Zimbabwe. Only negotiations can yield the kind of settlement which is in the interests of all the countries of the area. End quote.
3. Please advise delivery of message and any Zambian response.5
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 22, Zambia: President Kenneth D. Kaunda, 1–12/77. Secret; Sensitive; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Sent for information Immediate to London, Cape Town, Nairobi, Lisbon, the Secretary’s delegation, the Secretary’s aircraft, and the White House. Printed from a copy that was received in the White House Situation Room. Drafted by Edmondson; cleared by Brzezinski and Schaufele and in S/S; approved by Christopher. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770172–0274)↩
- See footnote 2, Document 154.↩
- See Document 154.↩
- In telegram 789 from Cape Town, May 15, the Embassy reported that Fourie was informed of Carter’s message to Kaunda at 5:30 p.m. Fourie said that he would inform Vorster and remarked: “It would help a great deal if the Prime Minister could advise Smith that we had been equally firm with Kaunda about threats and escalation from his side.” Deputy Chief of Mission Harvey Nelson assured Fourie that the United States had made clear to Kaunda and others “that the expansion of violence will only harm the interests of all concerned.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770172–1089)↩
- In telegram 1305 from Lusaka, May 15, the Embassy reported that the message was delivered to Mark Chona to be passed to Kaunda at 10:30 a.m. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770172–0603)↩