54. Telegram 212737 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Tanzania1 2
Subject:
- Status of the Giscard Proposal
Exdis for Under Secretary Rogers from Sorenson
1. In response to the French aide memoire outlining the Giscard proposal on an exceptional fund for African Development, Secretary Kissinger today, August 26th, signed the following letter to French FonMin Jean Sauvagnargues:
Begin quote: Dear Jean: I am pleased to have received the aide memoire outlining the features of the quote exceptional fund for the development of Africa unquote which you first proposed on May 11, 1976, at the Franco-African conference. It is an imaginative, constructive proposal which should make a positive contribution to increasing international cooperation for development in Africa. You can be assured that the United States will lend support to your efforts to launch this important venture.
I agree that the fund should focus on key African development problems as you have outlined in your aide-memoire. I believe it is important to maintain the Africa-wide perspective to enable us to respond to development problems in critical areas such as Southern Africa. A major function of the fund should be to assure that our respective aid to Africa—both through and outside the framework of the fund—is fully effective. We too are convinced that industrialized countries with common values can best influence peace and stability in the region when they show their willingness to coordinate their efforts.
A decision on U.S. financial participation along the lines suggested in the aide memoire must await President Ford’s review of all foreign assistance budget proposals during October. Meanwhile, we look forward to learning the results of your consultations with other prospective participants. We will, of course, wish to consult with our Congress after the proposal has been developed further.
We have a number of issues and concerns about the structure and operation
of the fund which we will want to discuss with you at an early
opportunity. Meanwhile, may I assure you of the full support of the
United States in your efforts to coordinate developmental efforts on
behalf of economic and political progress for the people of Africa.
Best regards,
Henry A.
Kissinger
End quote
2. Please note the reservations contained in para 3 which were expanded to take into account our need to consult within the administration as well as with Congress. This point was on the Secretary’s check list of items to discuss with OMB Director James Lynn last Monday. We still do not know, however, whether in fact this matter was brought up.
3. Please keep in mind also that the foregoing is in the process of being transmitted to the French Government. If you should be talking to Froment-Meurice by telephone tomorrow, it could well be that the GOF would not yet have received the letter by that time.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted and approved by Roger A. Sorenson (PB), cleared in S/S. The text of the aide-mémoire was not found. No final decision regarding U.S. support for the Giscard Fund for African Development was made before the end of the Ford administration. Kissinger continued to support the Fund in public statements, including in a toast to African foreign ministers on October 8. (Department of State Bulletin, Vol. LXXV, No. 1949, November 1, 1976, p. 560)↩
- The telegram transmitted a letter from Secretary of State Kissinger to French Foreign Minister Jean Sauvagnargues expressing support for the Giscard Fund for African Development, but noting concerns about its structure and operation.↩