Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 2, Sub-Saharan Africa

135. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Zaire¹

Washington, August 12, 1980, 1507Z

213253. Subject: Reply to Mobutu Letter From President Carter.

1. Please deliver following message to President Mobutu from President Carter:

Dear Mr. President: Thank you for your letter of July 14² and for sharing with me the thoughts on Zaire’s future and its potential role in Southern Africa. I was pleased to note your continued dedication to working with the International Monetary Fund, as well as with Zaire’s bilateral assistance partners, to reinvigorate the Zairian economy.

This is an important step in building on the progress Zaire and its advisors have made in restarting the development process in Zaire.

An “extended fund facility” has worked to the benefit of other countries with financial problems similar to those now faced by Zaire, and I understand that the International Monetary Fund has responded positively to your request for an extended arrangement.³ Although the conditions attached to this type of program are stringent, the potential long term benefits are great. You can be assured of our interest in your negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and of our strong support for longer and more generous fund arrangements with those members prepared to undertake equally far-reaching commitments.

I sincerely hope that Zaire will be able to reach agreement with the International Monetary Fund quickly and in a manner that will reinforce the economic progress Zaire has already made. Further strengthening of the Zairian economy will also give you more latitude to advance the important initiatives for regional economic and political cooperation that you have recently put forward.

I will continue to follow with great interest your government’s efforts to improve the lot of the Zairian people. Sincerely, Jimmy Carter.

2. No signed original will be forthcoming. White House does not plan to release text of message but has no objection to its release by recipient.

Christopher

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800384–0457. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Drafted by Garrison; cleared in EB, HA, S/P, AF, the Treasury Department, the NSC, and S/S; approved by Newsom.
2. In telegram 8889 from Kinshasa, July 17, the Embassy transmitted a letter from Mobutu to Carter explaining why Zaire needed additional assistance, particularly extended credit from the IMF. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800352–0814)
3. In telegram 203268 to Kinshasa, July 31, the Department reported that the IMF would consider Zaire’s need for an “extended fund facility” after assessing its performance under the current agreement. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D800368–0027)