107. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Easum led a discussion of the evolving situation in Ethiopia, potential Ethiopian-Somali conflict, and U.S. options in the region.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcript of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 3, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret.

108. Minutes of Meeting of the Washington Special Actions Group

Members of the WSAG discussed the uncertain situation in Ethiopia and whether and how to provide additional military assistance to the current government.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box TS 81, National Security Council, Committees and Panels, Washington Special Actions Group. Top Secret; Sensitive. The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room. Colby’s briefing is not published. (Ibid., CL 310, National Security Council, Committees and Panels, Washington Special Actions Group)

109. Memorandum From the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to Deputy Secretary of State (Rush) and Deputy Secretary of Defense (Clements)

Kissinger advised that following the April 24 WSAG meeting, it was decided that the United States should be as responsive as possible to Ethiopian requests for assistance. Five specific actions were ordered.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–77–0054, Box 15, Ethiopia, 1974. Secret. Copies were sent to the Director of Central Intelligence, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the AID Administrator.

110. Telegram 171544 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia

The Department reported that Under Secretary of State Sisco informed Ethiopian Ambassador Kifle of U.S. approval of Ethiopia’s request to purchase an additional $28 million of U.S. arms.

Source: Department of State, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, MAP Level 1974. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Mogadiscio, Nairobi, and Jidda.

111. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of State (Springsteen) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

Springsteen transmitted an analysis of the internal situation in Ethiopia, Somalia-Ethiopia antagonism, and the U.S. military assistance program to Ethiopia in preparation for the President’s briefing by Secretary of State Kissinger.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Institutional Files, Box 4, IF/NS File for the President, Horn of Africa Issues Paper. Confidential

112. Intelligence Note IN-47 Prepared by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research

INR analyzed the political outcome of the Ethiopian revolution, future political prospects, and the apparent goals of the ruling Armed Forces Coordinating Committee.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1974, P740131–2347. Secret; No Foreign Dissem. Prepared by Reid.

113. Telegram 222270 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia

The Department reported that Finance Minister Desta left an aide-mémoire with Under Secretary of State Sisco requesting that the United States provide military equipment, originally slated for cash sales, on a grant or credit basis. Sisco indicated that the United States was sympathetic but would respond in light of overall bilateral interests and U.S. policy.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, MAP Level 1974. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Asmara, USCINCEUR, and USEUCOM.

114. Memorandum From Richard Kennedy of the National Security Council Staff to Secretary of State Kissinger

Kennedy summarized and transmitted a CIA assessment of the regime of the Armed Forces Coordinating Committee in Ethiopia.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 2, Ethiopia. Secret; Noforn. Sent for urgent information.

115. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger and his staff discussed how to respond to Ethiopia’s arms request.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 5, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret. Hyland and Easum transmitted the study paper to Kissinger later that day. (Briefing Memorandum, October 16; ibid., Ethiopia Desk Files: Lot 77 D 351, Box 1, POL 1 General Policy, Ethiopia 1974)

116. Letter From the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (Ellsworth) to the Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs (Vest)

Ellsworth indicated that Ethiopia’s request for additional grant or credit in lieu of cash sales could not be met because of Congressional limitations on military support to Africa.

Source: Washington National Records Center, OASD/ISA Files: FRC 330–77–0054, Ethiopia, 1974. Secret. The letter is a copy with an indication that Ellsworth signed the original.

117. Telegram 25 From the Secretary’s Delegation in Isfahan to the Embassy in Ethiopia

Secretary of State Kissinger, traveling in Iran, transmitted a personal message to General Aman, informing him of a decision to make $8.3 million in direct foreign military sales credits available to Ethiopia.

Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 137, Geopolitical Files, Ethiopia, 3 Nov. 1974–25 Sept. 1975. Confidential; Niact Immediate. Repeated Niact Immediate to the Department.

118. Telegram 14026 From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State

Chargé Wyman reported on the November 23 removal of General Aman and the execution of 60 political prisoners that represented a further radicalization of the Ethiopian Revolution.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1974. Confidential; Immediate; Limdis. Repeated to Asmara and USCINCEUR. The Embassy copy indicated that Wyman drafted and approved the telegram, which was cleared by USIS, AID, MAAG, POL, POL/A, and DATT. (Ibid., RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, The Political Function)

119. Telegram 262137 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia

The Department advised the Embassy that in the wake of the events of November 23, it had decided to suspend shipment of additional military equipment to Ethiopia and to conclude no new development agreements.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1974. Confidential; Flash; Exdis. Repeated Immediate to DOD and to USCINCEUR. Drafted by Barrett and Blake; cleared by AID/AFR/ESA, PM, AF/E, and S/S; approved by Sisco

120. Intelligence Note IN–120 Prepared by the Bureau of Intelligence and Research

[4 pages not declassified in time for publication.]

Source: Department of State, INR/IL Historical Files, Box 14, Ethiopia, 1974–79. Secret; No Foreign Dissem; Controlled Dissem; Limdis

121. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger and his staff conducted a post mortem discussion on the fall of the Aman government in Ethiopia.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 5, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret.

122. Memorandum From the Executive Secretary of the Department of State (Springsteen) to the President’s Deputy Assistant for National Security Affairs (Scowcroft)

The Department transmitted an Issues Paper describing the political upheaval in Ethiopia and presented options for U.S. action on military assistance.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, Presidential Country Files for Africa, Box 2, Ethiopia. Confidential.

123. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Easum, and Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research Hyland briefly reviewed the current situation in Ethiopia and the implications of military assistance.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 5, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret.

124. Telegram 281377 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia

The Department summarized a discussion between Assistant Secretary of State Sisco and Ehtiopian Ambassador Kifle, in which both indicated they wished to continue friendly U.S.-Ethiopian relations.

Source: National Archives, RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files, Lot 77 F 121, The Political Function. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to Mogadiscio.

125. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger and Deputy Secretary of State Mulcahy discussed the deteriorating situation in Eritrea and the possible connection between U.S. withdrawal from Kagnew and decreased military assistance to Ethiopia as a cause of Ethiopia’s radical turn. Kissinger requested an analysis from the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Hyland.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 5, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret.

126. Briefing Memorandum From the Director of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research (Hyland) to Secretary of State Kissinger

[Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1975, P830114–1519. Secret; Nodis; Sensitive. 25 pages not declassified in time for publication.]

127. Telegram 27 From the Consulate in Asmara to the Department of State

Acting Consul General Robert Perry reported that increased agitation for Eritrean independence required a reevaluation of U.S. policy toward Ethiopia. He recommended that the United States help settle the Eritrean question and withhold further military aid to Ethiopia pending a settlement.

Source: National Archives, RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, The Political Function. Confidential; Priority; Noforn. Repeated Priority to Addis Ababa

128. Telegram 480 From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State

Chargé Wyman disputed the assessment of Acting Consul General Perry in telegram 27 (Document 127) about the Eritrean insurgency and advised against U.S. involvement in a settlement of the Eritrea question. He also called for a timely consideration of military assistance.

Source: Department of State, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, Box 9, The Political Function. Confidential; Exdis. Repeated to Asmara. Drafted by Peter Sebastian of the Political Section; cleared by DAO, MAAG, and POL/A; approved by Wyman.

129. Briefing Memorandum from the Director of Policy Planning (Lord) to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Sisco)

Lord transmitted a conceptual paper on Ethiopia that placed it in a wider regional and strategic context. The paper recommended continuation of current policy until the future became clearer.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, AF/E Files: 78 D 130, Ethiopia 1975, POL—General Policy. Secret. Drafted by Herbert J. Spiro in S/P. Sisco transmitted the study to Kissinger under cover of a January 29 memorandum. (Ibid., Records of Joseph Sisco, 1951–1976, Entry 5405, Box 19, Sisco Memo Chrons 1975)

130. Memorandum of Conversation

Secretary of State Kissinger, Foreign Minister Kifle, and U.S. Ambassador-designate to Ethiopia Arthur Hummel discussed U.S. military assistance for Ethiopia.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1975, P820117–0544. Secret; Exdis. Drafted by Coote, cleared by Hummel.

131. Briefing Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Mulcahy) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Mulcahy summarized action taken on the Ethiopian request for military assistance since Kissinger’s meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Kifle on January 27.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, AF/E Files: Lot 78 D 130, Box 1, POL 1 General Policy, Ethiopia 1975. Confidential. Drafted by Barrett, cleared by PM and Hummel. Sisco wrote the following note on the first page: “No need for this to go to Sec. JJS.” Tab A, “Possible Schedule of Military Deliveries to Ethiopia,” is not published.

132. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger and his staff discussed the insurgency in Eritrea, the future of Kagnew Station, and military assistance to Ethiopia.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 6, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret.

133. Telegram 29622 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia and the Consulate in Asmara

The Department reported that all agencies concerned had decided to maintain a presence at Kagnew Station for the time being. It also provided immediate U.S. objectives.

Source: National Archives, RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, Subject Files, Kagnew Station. Secret; Niact Immediate; Exdis. Repeated Immediate to SECDEF, CJCS, CNO, CINCUSNAVEUR, CINCEUR, DIRNSA, COMIDEASTFOR, COMNAVTEL, and NAVCOMMSTA.

134. Telegram 030364 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia

The Department reported that Foreign Minister Kifle told Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mulcahy that the Ethiopian Government inquired whether the United States could expedite shipment of ammunition.

Source: National Archives, RG 84, Addis Ababa Embassy Files: Lot 77 F 121, The Political Function. Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Repeated to SECDEF, JCS, CSAF, USCINCEUR, and CSA.

135. Minutes of the Secretary of State’s Staff Meeting

Secretary of State Kissinger discussed with his staff the Ethiopian request for ammunition in conjunction with internal problems in Eritrea.

Source: National Archives, RG 59, Transcripts of Secretary of State Kissinger’s Staff Meetings, 1973–1977, Entry 5177, Box 6, Secretary’s Staff Meetings. Secret.

136. Action Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Mulcahy) to Secretary of State Kissinger

Mulcahy provided background and recommendations in response to the Ethiopian ammunition replenishment request.

Source: Ford Library, National Security Adviser, NSC Institutional Files, IF/NS for the President, Box 15, WSAG Meeting on Ethiopia. Secret; Exdis. The memorandum is not initialed by Mulcahy and there is no indication of Kissinger’s action. Drafted by Coote, cleared by Spiro (S/P) and Hummel. The attachment, an undated memorandum from Mulcahy to Kissinger, is not published.