442. Country Summary Prepared in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research1
ANGOLA
[Heading, 2-line table, and 3–1/2 lines of source text not declassified]
B. CIA Activities and Assets
Clandestine activity with regard to Angola has consisted of periodic support for Holden Roberto, President of the Government of the Republic of Angola in Exile (GRAE), also leader of the Angolan National Liberation Front (FNLA) and of the Angolan Peoples Union (UPA). CIA has had a relationship with Roberto since 1955. [1–1/2 lines of source text not declassified] AF and CIA proposals for assistance to Roberto have been consistently opposed by EUR over the years. GRAE has had to compete for funds with the rival Bloc-supported Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA). The Angolan nationalists began guerrilla warfare in Angola in 1961.
CIA first proposed major assistance to Roberto in March 1962, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. The matter was deferred, however, principally because of EUR opposition. For the same reason a proposal to furnish Roberto [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] to permit him to attend the UN in 1962 was dropped. However, in May 1963 the Department did approve [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] to assist a GRAE delegation to attend the pre-OAU meeting in Addis.
[1 paragraph (6 lines of source text) not declassified]
A CIA proposal [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] to provide non-military support to Roberto and other selected nationalist leaders, supported by AF, was presented to the Special Group in March 1964. However, EUR strongly objected to what amounted to US-Soviet conspiracy against a NATO ally, (separate 303 proposals in May 1964 [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] were deferred meanwhile). This led to a meeting on May 4, 1964 attended by the Secretary, McNamara, Attorney General Kennedy, McCone, Mac Bundy and U. Alexis Johnson at which it was decided that a GRAE non-violent political program would be explored with Adoula, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified]. Governor Williams and Wayne Fredericks saw these leaders in May [Page 771] 1964. As a result another AF-CIA proposal [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for assistance to GRAE for this type of program was circulated but again dropped because of EUR opposition.
Finally in July 1964 another proposal was submitted [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] for support of selected Angolan Nationalist leaders. This was approved by the Secretary over EUR objection but on August 6 the 303 Committee deferred action at the request of the CIA Director.
Roberto has received assistance from Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Israel, Congo (L) and the AFL–CIO.
- Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Africa General, 1967–1968. Secret; Eyes Only. Drafted by Halvor O. Ekern of INR/DDC. The source text is an attachment to Document 223.↩