Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 2, Sub-Saharan Africa

118. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Washington, May 10, 1979, 5:30 p.m.

SUBJECT

• Summary of Meeting Between Dr. Brzezinski and Commissioner Nguza (U)

PARTICIPANTS

• Zaire

  • Commissioner (Minister of Foreign Affairs) Nguza Karl-I-Bond
  • Ambassador Kasonga Mutuale, Embassy of Zaire in Washington
  • Ambassador Ngoy Kapenga Komakcanga, Nguza’s Deputy Director of Cabinet

• United States

  • Zbigniew Brzezinski, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
  • Mr. Lannon Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa
  • Mr. Jerry Funk, Staff Member, National Security Council

Dr. Brzezinski opened the 15-minute meeting with an apology for having to meet so briefly, but said that he wanted to receive the Commissioner personally to extend the personal greetings of the President. (U)

Nguza thanked Dr. Brzezinski for making room on his busy schedule, and expressed his gratitude to the American Government and to the President personally for the interventions on his behalf when he had been under the death sentence which was later removed, with full pardon, by President Mobutu.² (C)

Nguza then presented some personal mementos to Dr. Brzezinski, and delivered a personal letter from President Mobutu to the President.³ (C)

He then briefly noted the purpose of his visit, to gain rapport and understanding for Zaire, and recounted his experience on the Hill. (C)

Dr. Brzezinski stated that the U.S. views Zaire as important, both from the bilateral relations point of view and from the strategic point of view. He noted that it was in a strategic position and wielded important power and influence in African affairs. He went on to speak encouragingly of the reforms which Zaire had instituted, and expressed the hope that this would be a continuing process. (S)

Nguza responded affirmatively and said that he had been questioned extensively and intensively about reforms, and that at one point he had been asked for “proof” of Mobutu’s commitment to reform. Nguza said he simply replied, “the proof is me.” (S)

Dr. Brzezinski pointed out our concerns about obtaining a just and viable settlement in Southern Africa, particularly Rhodesia, which would forestall further outside intervention, prevent complete polarization of the races, and promote stability in the area. He noted that Zaire had an important role to play in this process. (S)

Nguza agreed, and said that President Mobutu would be taking further initiatives in order to help bring about a political settlement. (U)

Dr. Brzezinski noted this with satisfaction, and said that he felt the OAU should take a stronger position to assure a larger role in settling this issue on a regional basis. (C)

Finally, Dr. Brzezinski, responding to an earlier question, noted that he hoped that the President and President Mobutu would one day be able to get together to talk personally at some mutually convenient time.⁴ (S)

There followed a warm exchange of thank yous and good-byes, and Dr. Brzezinski escorted Nguza to his limousine. (U)

1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders, Box 22, Zaire: Mobutu. Secret. The meeting took place in Brzezinski’s office.
2. See footnote 2, Document 117.
3. Mobutu’s April 28 letter to Carter expressed his desire to reaffirm Zairian-American friendship and to present Nguza as Foreign Minister. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders, Box 22, Zaire: Mobutu)
4. An unknown hand underlined “Brzezinski” and “he hoped that the President and President Mobutu would one day be able to get together to talk personally at some mutually convenient time.”