120. Memorandum of Conversation1
SUBJECT
- Meeting with Sudanese Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Francis M. Deng
Sudanese Participants
- Dr. Francis M. Deng, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
- Ambassador Eissa, Ambassador to the United States
United States Participants
- Deputy Secretary of Defense Duncan
- Deputy Assistant Secretary Murray
- Director, DSAA, LTG Graves
- Mr. Lloyd Cutler, Consultant
- Assistant for East Africa, ISA, Mrs. Charles
- Col. Coyle, Military Assistant to DepSecDef
Mr. Duncan informed Dr. Deng of yesterday’s Senate action increasing Sudan’s proposed FY 1980 appropriations to $25M in FMS credits and $50M in security supporting assistance. Dr. Deng responded that he was aware of the Senate’s good news and amazed to see how quickly the word had spread throughout Washington. Dr. Deng then launched into a lengthy discussion on Sudan’s position in the region vis-a-vis its neighbors, explaining that the principles which Sudan supports and which had won it friends in the past are now endangering Sudan’s achievements. This was evidenced by the hostile actions of Iraq which cut Sudan’s oil supply without warning at a very critical time. Because of the instability in Sudan created by the radical Arabs, a debate within the country has ensued as to whether or not the government’s continued support of President Sadat and the Peace Treaty is wise. The radical Arabs have undertaken subversive actions to discredit President Nimeiri’s position with his countrymen, and to further arouse public discontent. Rejectionist Arabs are providing both money and arms for this purpose.
Dr. Deng continued that the situation with Ethiopia and Mengistu’s refusal to resolve the Eritrean dispute during the Freetown talks is also destabilizing to Sudan’s security. At the end of the talks, which Dr. Deng attended as President Nimeiri’s interpreter, Mengistu threatened [Page 319] to turn Sudan into another Lebanon (by the supply of arms to southern dissidents Dr. Deng surmised).
Dr. Deng said that deepening concern about Sudan’s security prompted President Nimeiri to write a letter to President Carter, which Dr. Deng was asked to deliver.2 Dr. Deng said he was appreciative for the opportunity to meet with Secretary Duncan since he understood Secretary Duncan’s meeting with LTG Magid had been a good one. The reported success of Magid’s visit had been revitalizing to the Sudanese.
Secretary Duncan stated that he was pleased with the marked improvement in the level of US assistance for Sudan. He believed that through their visits Sudanese officials such as Dr. Deng had presented Washington officials with a clearer picture of Sudan’s needs, thus enabling us to be more responsive to Sudan’s requests for aid. Secretary Duncan then mentioned the proposal for a National Communications Network for Sudan which both President Nimeiri and LTG Magid had raised during previous meetings with him. (Dr. Deng said he also intended to raise the subject.) Secretary Duncan explained that Collins Division of Rockwell International was now actively pursuing the project. Collins expects the project would cost between $5M–$7M, and that the Collins representative in Cairo would be visiting Khartoum within the next week to discuss the proposal with Sudanese government officials. Secretary Duncan asked Dr. Deng to tell President Nimeiri that we understood the importance of this project, and that Sudan could use FY 1980 SSA funds for this purpose if it chooses to do so.
Dr. Deng was pleased with the news on the Communications System. He then mentioned that one important issue he was asked to discuss was Sudan’s need for general military planning over the next five years based on the survey report which we provided in December 1977.3 President Nimeiri is seeking closer US/Sudanese defense cooperation for the next five years to help bridge the gap between Sudan’s military deficiencies and requirements.
Secretary Duncan said that we want to be helpful and supportive in meeting Sudan’s military requirements. Current trends in this direction are positive. Secretary Duncan pointed out that in his letter President Nimeiri acknowledged the constraints on President Carter in being responsive to Sudan’s military requests. Secretary Duncan continued that we would like Sudan to remain a moderating influence. He was pleased that the dialogue between our two governments was construc [Page 320] tive, stating that good communications between us lead to a better understanding in our government of Sudan’s needs. For example, at a time when Congress is enforcing reductions in general, the Senate instead has added to Sudan’s FY 1980 allocations. He was pleased that things are moving in the right direction.
Dr. Deng then confidentially mentioned that he wished to explain President Nimeiri’s efforts in southern Africa. He believes that if African leadership approaches Rhodesia realistically, they would see that the new government has potential. The new leaders in Rhodesia-Zimbabwe have also struggled to get where they are. It is too simplistic to expect each party to be happy with the outcome of the elections. President Nimeiri believes in the broader concept of representation and for this reason he is continuing to negotiate with Patriotic Front leaders. Nkomo in fact has asked to meet with Nimeiri.
On Uganda, Dr. Deng explained that the Sudan is apprehensive about the way Amin met his downfall since it was a violation of territorial boundaries. As head of the OAU, and because some Sudanese were involved in Uganda, Sudan has withheld recognition of the new government. They do intend to be supportive of the new government, however, in order to help bring stability to the country.4
Dr. Deng briefly mentioned the Foreign Minister’s recent visit to Libya and the embarrassment it had created for his government. He explained that they were trying to correct some of the erroneous statements made on Sudanese policy during the visit.
Dr. Deng said he would be returning to Sudan from his visit reassured of US support. Secretary Duncan suggested to Dr. Deng that if the Sudanese felt an increase in US presence through ship visits or deployments such as the earlier F–15 visit, would help to deter Sudan’s adversaries, then we would be willing to provide such a signal. Dr. Deng thanked Mr. Duncan for the offer. He went on to say that two other ways which he believed we might demonstrate close US/Sudanese defense cooperation and thus deter aggression would be by airlifting some military items which we plan to expedite to Sudan, and by sending a team to Sudan to discuss Sudanese defense planning. Secretary Duncan said he would look into these possibilities.
Assistant for East Africa
- Source: Washington National Records Center, OSD Files, FRC 330–82–0205, Box 22, Sudan—1979. Secret. Drafted by Charles; cleared by Graves; approved by Murray for Duncan. The meeting took place in Duncan’s office.↩
- Nimeiri’s May 7 letter to Carter included a plea for economic and military support to meet Sudan’s defense needs. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders, Box 18, Sudan)↩
- See Document 95.↩
- After Amin fled Uganda into exile in Libya on April 11, a provisional Ugandan government was formed. See Documents 162–166.↩