310. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Somalia0
327. Ref: Mogadiscio’s 429.1 For Ambassador from Governor Williams.
Conversation with Issa at Nairobi touched on general subject US military aid to other countries, with Somali Foreign Minister observing that there had been examples of concurrent US and Soviet military aid to the same country. I replied that where this had happened there had been other overriding considerations which did not exist at present moment in relation to Somalia. However we did not have closed mind on this subject, and future developments might turn out in such a way as to warrant a re-examination of our attitudes. Nevertheless, for the present, mixed military aid was out in view size Soviet arms program, which was largest granted to any single African country, and because of our apprehensions, repeatedly voiced to Somali leaders, that arms program such magnitude would deflect Somalia’s meagre resources from priority needs of Somali people and result progressive weakening of economic situation.