Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

336. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Italy¹

Washington, May 1, 1967, 6:08 p.m.

185525. Ref: Rome 5666 Notal.² Subject: Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF).

1. Re your meeting with Tedla Bairu, former Chief Executive Eritrea and now ELF leader in exile, appreciate your non-committal, tactful handling of talk and information obtained.

2. In light danger our contacts with Tedla Bairu and other ELF leaders might leak back to Ethiopians and because we do not wish give ELF leaders impression of undue U.S. interest in them or concern over Kagnew, Department wishes keep contacts with ELF discreet, appropriately spaced, and at working level. However we see no problem if Tedla Bairu requests another meeting in Rome prior his departure, particularly if only one Embassy officer involved.

3. Assume meeting would again be primarily matter of listening to what he has to say. Nevertheless, if required, you may state that while we appreciate problems Eritreans face, U.S. policy has traditionally been opposed Balkanization of Africa particularly since economic development reasons dictate large and viable country units in Africa. You should give no indication U.S. would encourage or approve secession of Eritrea.

4. At same time we interested in any information which can be discreetly obtained on intentions and policies of ELF, including re Kagnew.

5. FYI: Re Tedla Bairu’s comment on “total lack of attention in Western press to events in Eritrea” there have recently been spate of articles in New York Times and Washington Post which being pouched Rome. End FYI.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 13 ETH. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Walker; cleared by Wolf and William B. Dozier in EUR/FBX; and approved by Looram. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Asmara, and Damascus, and by pouch to Bonn, Cairo, Jidda, Khartoum, Mogadiscio, Moscow, Sanaa, London, and Paris.
2. Telegram 5666 from Rome, April 27, reported that an Embassy officer met with former Eritrean Prime Minister Tedla Bairu for an hour on April 26 at the latter’s request. (Ibid.)