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

440. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Portugal¹

Washington, November 25, 1966, 9:02 p.m.

91612. Joint State-Defense. Subject: Angola-Zambia Border Incident.

1. Based on information provided by DAO Blantyre, we have established that bazooka rocket motor fragments examined by him in Lusaka come from two of 15,066 3.5 inch rocket motors, manufactured April, 1952 by Heckethorne Manufacturing and Supply Company, Littleton, Colorado. This batch of 15,066 motors, designated Number 2–449, 4–52, was sent to Cornhusker Ordnance Plant, Nebraska, May 1, 1962 for final assembly and placed into one of two complete round lots, designated: COP 4–225 (9,058 rounds)and COP 4–226 (6,008 rounds). It is not possible to determine from which of these two lots the Lusaka bazooka rocket motor fragments originated.

2. Of the total of 15,066 bazookas, it has been possible only to trace the disposition of 1,952 rounds of lot number COP 4–226, which were shipped to Portugal, December 6, 1963, under Military Assistance Sales for use in the NATO Defense Area. Prior to sale, oral assurance was given MAAG Lisbon officer by responsible Portuguese army official on May 2, 1963 and recorded in May 3 memorandum for record by MAAG officer that ammunition was required to meet needs of Portuguese Army NATO forces remaining in Europe. Sale was approved for implementation on August 22, 1963 by Military Sales Division, Mutual Security Office, Headquarters, U.S. Army Material Command.

3. While there is possibility that fragments in possession of Zambian authorities which they permitted us, at our initiative and request, to examine in Lusaka came from those sold to Portugal, we are unable to specifically to identify them as belonging to the group sold to Portugal in 1963. Moreover, as stated in State 16415, July 27,² large quantities of military items of American manufacture can be purchased commercially on world market and are not under control of USG. Conceivably, the Lusaka fragments could fall into this category. As was also noted in State 16415, there is no way we can conclusively establish who had possession of bazooka ammunition from which fragments came or how it had been obtained.

4. For Lisbon: Embassy should inform GOP that Zambian government delivered note to U.S. Ambassador in Lusaka July 23 stating that two spent shells bearing U.S. markings had been found in the Zambian village Chipatala, allegedly fired by Portuguese troops based in Angola. The note requested the USG to bring this matter to the attention of GOP. Before doing so, USG made investigation to determine: (a) if fragments came from U.S.-manufactured ammunition and (b) if of U.S. manufacture, explanation of their use in Africa. Embassy should draw upon info contained in Paras 1 through 2 above, to explain results of investigation and to note possibility that fragments may have come from group sold Portugal which they had provided assurances were required meet needs of Portuguese Army NATO forces remaining in Europe. Embassy should state that USG would appreciate Portuguese investigating disposition 1,952 rounds ammunition sold December, 1963.

5. For Lusaka: GRZ may be informed orally or by note at level appropriate to nature of original GRZ note (and informally to President Kuanda at Ambassador’s discretion) results DOD investigation of rocket shells and of USG approach to GOP as outlined above.³

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 32–1 ANG–ZAMBIA. Confidential. Drafted by Funseth on October 31; cleared by McElhiney, Brown of UNP, Wyle of DOD/ISA, EUR Country Director for Spain and Portugal George W. Landau, Warren, and Koumanelis; and approved by Stoessel. Repeated to Blantyre, London, Lourenco Marques, Luanda, Lusaka, USUN, CINCSTRIKE/CINCMEAFSA, and CINCEUR.
2. Document 439.
3. In a letter of July 25 to the President of the U.N. Security Council, Zambia accused Portugal of using bazookas to shell houses in the village of Chipatala in Zambian territory and said that two of the spent shells found in the village had U.S. markings, thereby confirming the invalidity of the Portuguese claim that weapons supplied through NATO would never be used for aggressive purposes. (U.N. document S/7430) In a December 5 letter to the Security Council, Zambia again charged Portugal with committing acts of colonial aggression on Zambian territory. (U.N. document S/7612) In a December 12 letter to the Security Council, Portugal denied the Zambian charges, saying they were without foundation. (U.N. document S/7632)