426. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tanganyika1
1157. For Fredericks and Ambassador. Re Embtel 826.2
Mozambique
Matters raised reftel pose difficult problems for USG in its efforts limit and hopefully eliminate intrusion Chicom/Soviet cold war presence Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as encourage stability and progress URTZ, see change in Portuguese African policy with acceptance [Page 744] self-determination, develop favorable relations with Africans who we believe ultimately will probably control territory with or without continuing political ties with Portugal. Principal objectives are to exclude Communist influence which as alien to African traditions as colonial rule and foster economic and political development of entire area. Problem not an easy one, as Nyerere presentation clearly indicates.
Dept inclined believe best approach to take in responding increasingly complicated questions raised reftel is to indicate USG concern over situation, to express our determination explore any suitable and profitable course to encourage peaceful change, and to stress our desire receive suggestions on possible courses of action. Leave manner presentation to your discretion. We of course wish continue encourage Nyerere’s interest in exploring such situations with us. As he will appreciate, if we have any hope of influencing GOP, we must also preserve our position of independent advice both sides. We concerned lest fruitless go-around may discourage this free flow of ideas and opportunity influence Nyerere thinking. As occasion warrants, believe it useful for you to encourage Nyerere to realize that if he is going to allow nationalist training and safehaven in Tanganyika he has to be prepared accept consequences, as well.
While we appreciate Nyerere’s assurances GURTZ not preparing military attack against Mozambique, and we have noted report (Zanzibar’s 359)3 that PLA company, its weapons and advisers have been withdrawn from border area, GURTZ providing training and safehaven for Mozambican nationalists does create dangerous situation for GURTZ. Violence likely to harden Portuguese attitudes and could lead to retaliation of kind alluded to by Fonmin Nogueira in recent press conference (Lisbon 287).4 These hardly in best interests African nationalists, URTZ, or prospects peaceful settlement.
As Nyerere aware, USG has favored peaceful efforts to resolve problem Portuguese territories. Indicative of fact our stand goes beyond speech making are frank talks with GOP (which have greatly strained US-Portuguese relations), education assistance to Mozambican refugees, and our willingness provide relief to Portuguese African refugees. Seems to us limited utility of force as means to resolve matter demonstrated by present situation in Angola. There Portuguese military has succeeded bringing guerrilla warfare under control and this has served to undermine whole nationalist movement.
USG remains committed work for self-determination Portuguese territories and peaceful change. This integral part basic policy toward Africa and stems from our own strong traditions. We continue to press Portugal on its African policies. We earlier raised matter economic assist ance [Page 745] to Portugal to ease peaceful transition in territories. This was rejected by GOP, but we believe this is sound, constructive proposal which we prepared to explore again with Portuguese whenever circumstances seem propitious.
As one incentive maintain dialogue for future, you authorized indicate to Nyerere US desire support appropriate humanitarian assistance on refugee problem and relieve GURTZ some of unanticipated economic drain that country. Assume he would agree such assistance might best be handled in international context such as UNHCR and WFP.
[Here follows discussion of the Congo.]
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL MOZ–TANZAN. Secret; Immediate; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Director of the Office of Eastern and Southern African Affairs Jesse M. MacKnight and John P. Meagher of AFE, Curtis Strong of AF/CWG, and Officer in Charge of Angola, Mozambique, Portuguese Guinea, Malagasy Republic, and Mauritius Affairs George B. High on October 27; cleared by Director of the Office of Central African Affairs James L. O’Sullivan, McKillop, Ludwig Hauschner of AID’s Food for Peace Division, Deputy Director of the Office of Refugee and Migration Affairs in the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs Clement Sobotka, and Thomas W. McElhiney of AF/CWG; and approved by Tasca. Repeated to Lisbon, and by pouch to Leopoldville, Lourenco Marques, and Luanda.↩
- In telegram 826 from Dar-es-Salaam, October 21, Ambassador William Leonhart reported a discussion with Tanganyikan President Julius Nyerere on the Mozambique problem. Nyerere said that, since the outbreak of fighting in Mozambique in late September, refugees had been streaming across the border and residents of the area were in a panic. Nyerere had ordered Tanganyika army units and one company of Zanzibar troops with Soviet advisers to the area, but he assured Leonhart that there would be no URTZ attacks across the border. He noted that the larger problem was that the Mozambican struggle to free the country would continue. Nyerere suggested that a NATO program of economic aid for Portugal might enable the Portuguese to acknowledge the principle of self-determination for their African colonies. (Ibid.)↩
- Dated October 26. (Ibid., OS 12–12 TANZAN)↩
- Dated October 22. (Ibid., POL 15/PORT)↩