180. Telegram 2171 From the Embassy in Kenya to the Department of State1 2
Subject:
- Kenyan Decision to Purchase F–5E/F Aircraft
Ref:
- (A) State 41704,
- (B) State 48492,
- (C) London 03020
1. Finance Minister Kibaki summoned me to his office today to advise of GOK decision to apply entire $45 million in FMS credits offered to kenyan delegation during recent Washington visit to purchase squadron of ten F–5E and two F–5F aircraft. Minister of Defense Permanent Secretary Kiereini, who was also present at meeting, will submit letter requesting letter of offer asap. Embassy will cable text when received.
2. Kibaki stressed that increasingly acute threat from neighboring Uganda and Somalia would make it imprudent for Kenya to delay ordering these aircraft until financing assured, but GOK is proceeding on definite hope that additional $20 million in FMS financing can be offered by USG. He, therefore, formally requested that additional FMS credit in amount of $20 million be offered asap, subject, of course, to eventual congressional approval.
3. While I recognize difficulty of earmarking these additional funds for Kenya, I believe it would be in our interest to make this additional offer of credit and that we will be able to hold our total assistance at this approximate level as other Western countries now appear willing to pick up all or most of remainder of cost of Kenyan armed forces’ expansion and modernization program. In response to my query, Kibaki confirmed (without giving specific figures) that GOK now anticipates being able to obtain significant amounts of military assistance from UK (see also ref C), France, Canada, Italy, and possibly Germany. (We are reporting by septels what we have been able to learn thus far from Embassies of latter three countries.)
4. Please advise asap.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to London and USCINCEUR.↩
- The Embassy reported Kenya’s decision to apply its entire $45 million in FMS credits to purchase a squadron of ten F–5E and two F–5F aircraft, and supported Kenya’s request for additional credit to complete financing for the aircraft purchase.↩