177. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Mozambique1
289263. For Ambassador. Subject: Presidential Message for Machel. Ref: Maputo 1455 (Notal).2
1. At earliest opportunity, you should seek an appointment with President Machel to pass to him the following oral message from President Carter concerning the recent Rhodesian raids3 and their aftermath (reftel):
Begin text: I have asked Ambassador Depree to convey to you my own sorrow and that of all Americans at the tragic and senseless events of recent days which have so deeply affected the people of Mozambique and Zimbabwe and those everywhere who respect human dignity. I want you to know that we are taking steps to make it unmistakably clear to the Smith regime that we condemn such actions and would take a most grave view of any repetition.4 This tragic killing of innocent women and children and the destruction which accompanied it make it more urgent than ever that no time be lost in bringing independence and majority rule to Zimbabwe. In this regard, we understand that the British Government will be approaching you concerning the possibility of your meeting at an early date with Lord Carver, accompanied by Ambassador Low, and General Prem Chand so that they may discuss the details of the settlement proposals with you and learn your views. It is our desire to help Mozambique assist those who have been the victims of the recent attacks and who have been displaced from their homes in Zimbabwe by the fighting. Accordingly, we are looking to the possibility of providing additional funds to the UN High Commission for Refugees for its refugee programs in Mozambique. Sincerely, Jimmy Carter. End text.
[Page 518]2. As you may already know from Ambassador Lewen, Prime Minister Callaghan is sending a message along lines similar to the President’s response.
3. For London, you may share this message with FCO.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D770449–0671. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by James Nach (AF/S); cleared by Vance, Moose, Brzezinski, Marianne Spiegel (S/P) and Leonard Pompa (AID/AFR/SA); approved by James E. Thyden (S/S). Sent for information Immediate to Pretoria. Sent for information to Lusaka, Dar es Salaam, Gaborone, Lagos, and London.↩
- In telegram 1455 from Maputo, December 2, the Embassy transmitted Machel’s request for assistance to prevent additional Rhodesian raids. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, P840083–0043)↩
- See footnote 4, Document 175. ↩
- See Documents 176 and 178. ↩