Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–6, Documents on Africa, 1973–1976

131. Briefing Memorandum From the Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Mulcahy) to Secretary of State Kissinger¹ ²

Washington, February 3, 1975

Action Taken on Ethiopian Request for Additional Military Assistance

At your meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Kifle Wodajo on January 27 you said that the U.S. Government would be as forthcoming as possible in responding to Ethiopia’s request for military assistance, and you asked that we submit a report to you about our progress in providing such a positive response to the Foreign Minister.

This memorandum reports the actions taken since that meeting and the prospects for further possible action. You will recall that Kifle asked for increased Foreign Military Sales (FMS) credits and early delivery of certain military items in order to prepare Ethiopia for any attack by Somalia which, he said, could occur as early as next June.

1. On January 30 we notified Minister Kifle that we would plan to increase FY 75 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) credits from the $8.3 million which you approved on November 3 to a level of $20 to $25 million, subject to any Congressional constraints and the completion and approval of the necessary documentation. Presidential determinations must be obtained on breaching the African ceiling of $40 million on total military grants and credits to Africa, and on extending concessional terms for this credit, as we did for the FY 74 credits to Ethiopia.

2. We also told Kifle that there was a very good possibility of obtaining some of the F5E fighter aircraft wanted by the Ethiopians in time for delivery to Ethiopia during the summer. We were pursuing this possibility and would give Kifle a definite commitment as soon as possible. We said that the aircraft would have to be acquired for cash in view of the magnitude of the desired purchase (16 aircraft, worth about $80 million). These aircraft would come from a shipment originally intended for Korea, but we did not mention this fact to Kifle.

3. We reminded Kifle that 11 M–60 tanks have been ready for shipment to Ethiopia for the last three months. We urged him to obtain authorization from his government to purchase these tanks, initially for cash, so that early shipment could be effected, with the understanding that funding could be completed on the new planned credit level. Kifle subsequently told us that he hopes to receive the necessary authority to sign the papers within a few days.

4. We informed Kifle that the following additional items desired by the Ethiopians could also be shipped by June: AIM 9B (Sidewinder) missiles, Vulcan cannon, TOW missiles and launchers, and up to 100 2 1/2 ton trucks. We reviewed with Kifle the preferred method of financing for each item: cash for the missiles and Vulcan cannon in order to avoid the need for additional presidential determinations, and credit for the trucks.

5. We told Kifle that we had not been able to find a way to provide Ethiopia with the two TP43D radars and the 14 additional M–60 tanks they had requested. in addition to the 22 already delivered or ready for shipment, by their June deadline. The radar equipment has a lead time of over a year, which coincides with the period needed for training. The Ethiopians are not interested in having any other type of radar. Kifle argued that his military colleagues were of the opinion that only two or three months’ additional training would be necessary for Ethiopian military personnel to learn the operation of the TP43D radar.

He agreed with a suggestion, however, that the Defense Department set up a meeting with Westinghouse, the manufacturer of this radar, to explain the technical differences between these radar sets and the ones which the Ethiopians already have and know how to operate. The tanks have a lead time of four years. We took the previous 22 away from US units in the field but cannot strip our units further. We told Kifle we were looking into alternatives for these tanks.

Kifle seemed appreciative of the increase in FMS credits, as well as the indication that F5E aircraft might be made available at a much earlier date than originally anticipated. He also said that he would try to obtain immediate decisions from his government regarding funding for the purchases of the items available for immediate or early shipment.

A possible schedule for the shipment and delivery of the items discussed with Kifle is attached (Tab A).

1. 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.
2. Mulcahy summarized action taken on the Ethiopian request for military assistance since Kissinger’s meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Kifle on January 27.