328. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- Ethiopian Request for More U.S. Military and Economic Assistance
PARTICIPANTS
- The President
- The Emperor of Ethiopia
- Mr. Walt Rostow
- Dr. Minassie Haile, Ethiopian Minister of Information
- Mr. Toumayan, Interpreter (US)
After an initial exchange on the value of personal contact between Chiefs of State, the Emperor began the discussion with a review of the mutual benefits of the long association between Ethiopia and the United States. He pointed to the contributions of his own country in support of UN collective security efforts and to the fact that Ethiopia had not recognized Communist China, thus associating itself with the U.S. despite [Page 565] criticism. The Emperor then outlined at length the security problems confronting Ethiopia arising from: Somali irredentism supported by “massive” Soviet military aid; the political influence in Somalia of the USSR and Communist China; the danger to Ethiopia if Djibouti fell into hostile hands; Arab states’ assistance to Somalia; Nasser’s efforts to extend his influence into the Gulf of Aden, with Soviet collusion, and the threat of UAR dominance in the area after the British withdrawal.
The Emperor said Soviet military aid to Somalia, which had given the Soviets control over the situation in that country, was excessive for purposes of national defense or internal security. He cited comparisons: The Soviets were arming 20,000 Somali soldiers, one for every 100 inhabitants; in contrast, Ethiopia had one soldier per 625 inhabitants. Somalia had more artillery and armour than Ethiopia. The Emperor also referred specifically to the action of the Somali National Assembly urging Government recognition of rebel forces in Ethiopia and Kenya, stating that Somalia assumed direct responsibility for these forces.
The Emperor then requested the following: (a) the US military “commitment” to Ethiopia, undertaken many years ago and until now averaging ten (sic) million dollars annually, to be raised to twenty million; (b) military weapons in hand to be replaced by more modern equipment, in view of Soviet arms aid to Somalia; (c) some sort of direct support for the Ethiopian defense budget to help finance petroleum, housing, etc.; (d) expansion of areas of economic assistance.
The Emperor mentioned his visit to Moscow at the end of February, indicating he had wanted to come to Washington first and stating the purpose of the Moscow visit was to ascertain why the Soviet Government was extending so much military assistance to Somalia. He doubted he would get a satisfactory reply. The Soviets had always replied to Ethiopian protests by offering to give them arms also. However, the Emperor stated, he had no wish to embark on military assistance ventures with the USSR.
The President stated we stood firm in our recognition of Ethiopia’s territorial integrity. We were aware through Ambassador Korry of the Emperor’s concerns and we shared them. Our interest in Ethiopia was reflected by substantial U.S. economic and military assistance totaling more than a quarter of a billion dollars thus far. However, the President pointed out the current difficulties with the Congress particularly with regard to military aid. He stressed the importance of avoiding an arms race. The President said he looked to the Emperor’s statesmanlike restraint in dealing with the situation in East Africa and African problems in general. We shall consider helping Ethiopia further in a modest way with its internal security problem, depending on Congressional appropriations. With regard to Djibouti, the President said we would take stock after the forthcoming plebiscite and be prepared to work [Page 566] through the UN toward internationalization, if that seemed the wise course.
On other points, the President suggested they be taken up with the Secretary of Defense and Acting Secretary of State who would meet with the Emperor on the afternoon of February 14. The Emperor could be confident of the friendship of the President and the American people, but candor required him to state what the situation was with regard to Congress.
The Emperor replied that it was an excellent suggestion to discuss the details later on and that he also looked forward to meeting with the President again that evening. Moreover, although he was aware of the difficulties the President had with the Congress, the Emperor felt that the President carried a great deal of weight and could influence the situation.
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Ethiopia, Vol. 2, Memos & Miscellaneous, 7/65–1/69. Secret. Drafted by Looram on February 16. The conversation was held at the White House. The time and place for the meeting is from ibid., President’s Daily Diary.↩