Burundi
[Page 1]58. Memorandum From the Director of Central African Affairs (Cohen) to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom)
Cohen transmitted and summarized an airgram from Ambassador Yost in Bujumbura describing the impact of the U.S. policy of minimizing relations with Burundi.
Source: National Archives, AF/C Files: Lot 76 D 427, Burundi, Memcon/Briefing Memo 1973. Confidential. The Briefing memorandum was drafted by Siefkin and Cohen (AF/C). A handwritten note from Newsom to Cohen on the first page reads: “Let’s wait for Bob Yost’s specific recommendations on programs to be resumed.” The attached Airgram, Bujumbura A-31, March 30, 1973, is not published.
59. Memorandum From the Ambassador to Uganda (Melady) to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Newsom)
Melady recommended a “Cyprus solution” for Burundi, i.e., the physical segregation of Tutsis and Hutus under the protective shield of a neutral police force. He predicted that failing such a mechanism eventual ethnic confrontation was guaranteed.
Source: National Archives, AF/C Files: Lot 76 D 427, Burundi, Memcon/Briefing Memo 1973. Confidential.
60. Telegram 114225 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia
The Department provided background information on renewed ethnic fighting in Burundi and instructed the Embassy to urge Organization of African Unity (OAU) Secretary General Ekangaki to involve the OAU in a resolution of the conflict.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 23—9 Burundi. Confidential. Repeated to Bujumbura, USUN New York, Kinshasa, Kigali, Dar Es Salaam, Geneva, and Lagos. Drafted by Walker (AF/RA); cleared by Cohen; approved by Newsom.
61. Telegram 122179 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burundi
The Department summarized Newsom’s meeting with Burundi Ambassador Ndabaniwe. Newsom said U.S.-Burundi relations could not improve until the Government of Burundi ceased indiscriminate killing and began a program of national reconciliation.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Burundi-US. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Kinshasa, Kigali, Dar Es Salaam, USUN New York, Rome, and Brussels. Drafted by Siefken; cleared by Cohen; approved by Newsom.
62. Telegram 126711 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burundi
At Burundi Ambassador Ndabaniwe’s request, Newsom clarified U.S. policy toward Burundi. He noted that the U.S. Government was under strong pressure to take steps against Burundi, but did not want to do so.
Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL Burundi-US. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Repeated to Addis Ababa, Brussels, Dar Es Salaam, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Rome, and USUN New York. Drafted by Siefken; cleared by Cohen; approved by Newsom.
63. Memorandum From Harold Horan of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Horan summarized a memorandum from Executive Secretary of the Department of State Pickering to Kissinger indicating that African leaders responded favorably to U.S. suggestions that they take responsibility for resolving the conflict in Burundi and that Mobutu’s stature in Africa had increased.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 735, Country Files, Africa, Burundi. Limited Official Use. Sent for information. Kissinger initialed the covering memorandum from Horan.
64. Memorandum From Harold Horan of the National Security Council Staff to the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger)
Horan noted that the Department of State favored normalizing relations with Burundi following progress on coping with its internal conflict. Horan recommended that Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs Scowcroft authorize the Department to begin normalization. Kissinger approved the recommendation.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 735, Country Files, Africa, Burundi. Secret. Sent for action. Tabs A and C are not published. Tab B was not attached.
65. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft) to the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Pickering)
Scowcroft notified Pickering that the President had authorized the Department to begin the normalization of relations with Burundi.
Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 735, Country Files, Africa, Burundi. Secret.