130. Letter From President Carter to Equatorial Guinean President Nguema1
Your letter of August 29, 1979,2 offers encouraging words that you and your government are determined to rebuild Equatorial Guinea and overcome the human rights abuses inflicted by former President Macias. Because the plight of the people of Equatorial Guinea has been a matter for deep concern in this country, we will be watching with sympathy and interest your efforts to improve the lives of your people.
We are agreed to normalize diplomatic relations with your government and are prepared to offer emergency assistance, initially in the area of public health.3 Initially, we would envisage relations as being conducted through frequent visits to Malabo by officials accredited from our Embassy in Yaounde. Once relations are formally reestablished, our two governments can consider more permanent arrangements and other forms of cooperation.
We look forward to renewed cooperation with the government and people of Equatorial Guinea as you undertake the heavy tasks of reconstruction in an atmosphere of renewed respect for internationally recognized human values and rights.
Sincerely,
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders, Box 5, Equatorial Guinea: Mbsongo. No classification marking.↩
- Nguema’s August 29 letter is ibid.↩
- See footnote 3, Document 125.↩