91. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
[Omitted here are items unrelated to Central Africa.]
7. Central African Empire We have undertaken a government-wide review of our relations with the Central African Empire following the July detentions of two journalists and a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bangui. Emperor Bokassa’s mistreatment of the detainees and his repeated allegations of American plotting have led us to reappraise our relations with them. Our intention is to register our serious concern over his mistreatment of Americans and others in a manner that least risks provoking retaliation against our citizens.
We have instructed our Ambassador to tell Bokassa that the detentions have had an adverse effect on bilateral relations and our ability to provide economic support.2 We are eliminating new AID programs worth $6 million in addition to cancelling certain other bilateral activities, although ongoing aid projects will be completed. This should make clear our dissatisfaction with Bokassa’s behavior and could stand some chance of influencing him to improve the overall human rights situation in his country.3
[Omitted here are items unrelated to Central Africa.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 19, Evening Reports (State) 9/77. Secret. Carter wrote “Cy, J” in the upper right corner.↩
- In telegram 2132 from Bangui, October 4, the Embassy reported on Quainton’s October 3 session with Emperor Bokassa, in which Quainton explained that additional aid would not be available to the Central African Empire due to human rights incidents. “Bokassa accepted these realities.” Bokassa also agreed to “suppress incriminating documents taken from the journalists” and “return the motorcycle confiscated from PCV Maher.” (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770363–0066)↩
- Carter wrote “ok” in the left margin.↩