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

63. Memorandum of Conversation¹

Dakar, July 18, 1980

SUBJECT

• African Issues

PARTICIPANTS

• United States

  • Vice President Mondale
  • Richard M. Moose, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
  • Denis Clift, Assistant to the Vice President for National Security Affairs
  • Anthony Lake, Director, Policy Planning Staff
  • Herman J. Cohen, U.S. Ambassador to Senegal

• Senegal

  • President Leopold Senghor
  • Moustapha Niasse, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Namibia and South Africa

Senghor said that Sam Nujoma can be influenced in favor of moderation. “We will make him a social democrat and keep him out of the Soviets arms.” Senghor said the African moderates are insisting on a free election in Namibia along the lines of Zimbabwe. SWAPO should not take power automatically.

The Vice President asked Senghor for his views of the current negotiations with South Africa. Senghor replied that he supports the efforts of the Western contact group, but that South Africa will not go along unless pressure is applied. Senghor said that an immediate oil blockade must be started. Only then will South Africa understand the West means business.

Vice President Mondale reviewed U.S.-South African relations since the beginning of the Carter Administration, starting with his Vienna meeting with Vorster.² He said we hope to make progress through peaceful change, and we want to hold the economic sanctions weapon in reserve, to be used only when it is clear that other methods of persuasion have failed.

Angola

Senghor said that since the death of Neto, pro-Soviet elements in the MPLA have been in the ascendancy. Neto had been leaning toward reconciliation with Savimbi, but the Soviets stopped that development by killing Neto on the operating table. Senghor said he supports Savimbi because he represents 40 percent of the Angolan people. The MPLA was imposed by the Cubans. The MPLA represent the Luanda Mulatto intellectuals. Senghor urged the US to support Savimbi.

Mr. Moose said that Savimbi expressed an interest in reconciliation with the MPLA during his visit to Washington.³ He talked of making a deal, such as allowing the Benguela railroad to be opened in return for a role in government. Moose asked if Senghor had any news of this. Senghor said that he hoped the US would support Savimbi as the only hope of driving the Cubans out. The Vice President said the US is not going to be involved in Angola’s internal affairs. The US wants to do everything possible to bring about a reconciliation.

Western Sahara

Covered in Dakar 5486⁴

Chad

Covered in Dakar 5519/6189⁵

Middle East

Senghor prefaced his remarks by saying he does not want to appear anti-semitic. He said that his two children by his first marriage have Jewish blood through their mother. One of his sons is engaged to a Dutch woman of the Jewish faith. Senghor said he gets along well with Simon Peres of the Labor Party. But Begin is an extremist; there will be no hope for Palestinian autonomy as long as Begin is Prime Minister. The Israelis have to decide they are a Middle Eastern people, and not a European people. Senghor said he supports the Camp David Agreement. Senegal has never failed to oppose efforts to condemn Sadat in international conferences.

The Vice President said the U.S. is grateful for Senegal’s support, and we hope it will continue. The Vice President said one of the problems in reaching an agreement on Palestinian autonomy is Israel’s sense of isolation. The Africans broke relations with Israel because of Egypt’s requests in 1967 and 1973. Now that Egypt has resumed relations with Israel, isn’t it time for the Africans to do the same. President Senghor implied that the question was premature, and began a discussion of Libya. He said that Senegal broke relations with Libya because Senegalese citizens had been enticed to go there for military training.

East-West Relations

Senghor said he was upset with Giscard d’Estaing and Helmut Schmidt because of their weak solidarity with the U.S. on Afghanistan and Iran. He said that Africa cannot be expected to resist communist penetration if the West is reacting so weakly to the Soviet threat. Senghor said he mentioned this to both Giscard and Schmidt.

The Vice President replied that the U.S. was disappointed in its European allies, and said he was pleased that Senghor had made his displeasure known to them.

North-South Dialogue

Senghor said that the Sahel countries can solve the problem of desertification only through the construction of dams. The dams needed to save Senegal alone will cost one trillion dollars by the year 2020. It will be impossible to achieve these objectives if the industrialized countries do not follow the World Bank recommendation to donate 0.7 percent of their GNP’s to economic assistance. He cited figures to show that Europe is donating only 0.30 percent of GNP, and the U.S. only 0.25 percent. He pleaded for greater understanding.

The Vice President pointed out that President Carter has consistently asked Congress to increase foreign aid. But Congress has found it difficult to do so in view of the needs of the poor in the U.S.

1. Source: Carter Library, Donated Material, Mondale Papers, Box 36, Vice President’s Visit to West Africa [7/17/80–7/23/80] Background—Memcons and Speeches [2]. Confidential. Drafted by Cohen on August 5. According to a telegram 6189 from Dakar, July 18, the meeting took place on July 17. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800394–1239) Mondale visited Senegal July 17–19, Niger July 19–20, Nigeria July 20–23, and Cape Verde July 23.
2. See Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XVI, Southern Africa, Document 158.
3. See Foreign Relations, 1977–1980, vol. XVI, Southern Africa, Document 40.
4. In telegram 5486 from Dakar, July 18, the Embassy reported on Senghor’s discussion with Mondale on the dispute in the Western Sahara. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800346–0260)
5. In telegram 215864 to Dakar, August 15, the Department notified the Embassy that telegram 5519 from Dakar never arrived in Washington. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800389–0658) In telegram 6189 from Dakar, August 18, the Embassy retransmitted telegram 5519, which reported on Mondale’s discussion with Senghor on Chad. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800394–1239)