Office of the Historian

164. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1

Washington, April 4, 1979

[Omitted here are items unrelated to East Africa.]

5. Uganda—Intelligence and press sources indicate the Libyans are withdrawing from Uganda and the end of the conflict is near. Exile leaders told us today that they will set up a transitional government in Kampala as soon as it is secure. Yesterday we delivered your message to Moi requesting that Libyan war materials not be allowed to transit Kenya.2 Moi asked that you be told he would “do what he could”. Nyerere told our Chargé in Dar es Salaam this morning that he credited your message to Moi for the increased cooperation Moi pledged. He [Page 425] said he was deeply grateful and would find an occasion soon to thank you properly.3

  1. Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 21, Evening Reports (State) 4/79. Secret. Carter initialed the memorandum and wrote “Cy” in the upper right corner.↩
  2. In telegram 82339 to Nairobi, April 3, the Department instructed Le Melle to relay an oral message from President Carter to President Moi, expressing that the U.S. Government was pleased by Moi’s decision to prohibit the airlift of petroleum to Uganda and the re-fueling of Libyan aircraft to and from Uganda. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840150–2128) In telegram 6040 from Nairobi, April 3, the Embassy reported that Le Melle had delivered Carter’s message to Moi. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840150–2100)↩
  3. In telegram 1532 from Dar es Salaam, April 4, the Embassy reported that Nyerere was grateful to Carter for sending the message to Moi. Moi had telephoned Nyerere on April 3. Nyerere believed that it had been a productive conversation and said he would try to alleviate some Kenyan concerns about “Obote imposing his will on Ugandans.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840128–2019)↩