134. Memorandum From Secretary of State Muskie to President Carter1
[Omitted here are items unrelated to Central Africa.]
5. Representation in Equatorial Guinea—You asked what diplomatic representation we will have in Equatorial Guinea (EG).2 We had proposed appointing a consular agent there pending a decision whether we would have an aid program of sufficient size to justify a resident diplomatic mission. The Government of EG, encouraged by Spain, wants a resident mission established in light of EG’s political reorientation toward the West and as a psychological shield against Soviet maneuverings: it disapproved our request to appoint a consular agent. In view of our recent decision on aid levels for EG, we must decide whether US interests currently justify the expenditure of personnel and money required to open a resident mission.3 Our new Ambassador to Cameroon, Hume Horan, who will also be accredited to EG, will recommend how best to proceed after his arrival at post in mid-July.
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 23, Evening Reports (State) 7/80. Secret. Carter wrote “Ed, J” in the upper right corner.↩
- On a July 1 memorandum from Muskie, in which Equatorial Guinea was mentioned, Carter wrote, “What diplomatic representation will we have here?” (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 23, Evening Reports (State) 10/80)↩
- Carter wrote “Minimal is ok—but an American” in the left margin.↩