166. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter1
[Omitted here are items unrelated to East Africa.]
6. Uganda—In view of the moderate approach announced by the new Ugandan Government,2 I believe that we should normalize relations as soon as possible. As a first step I plan to send a team from our Embassy in Kenya to Kampala tomorrow or Saturday.3 The team will establish contact with the new leaders, assess the emergency relief situation, and determine the administrative requirements for reopening our Embassy.4 If this visit is successful, I would plan to send a Department official for further discussions next week. Full relations could be reestablished soon. Meanwhile we are exploring possibilities for economic aid within current legislative limits, and looking into prospects for new legislation to enable us to respond to Uganda’s needs.
[Omitted here are items unrelated to East Africa.]
- Source: Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 21, Evening Reports (State) 4/79. Secret. Carter initialed the memorandum.↩
- In telegram 1710 from Dar es Salaam, April 12, the Embassy reported on the April 11 capture of Kampala by the UNLF and the formation of a provisional Ugandan government. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790168–0644) Amin fled into exile in Libya on April 11. In telegram 1731 from Dar es Salaam, April 15, the Embassy reported that Lule, after being sworn in as President, gave a speech promising respect for the rule of law and equality and individual rights for all Ugandans. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790174–0850)↩
- Carter wrote “move expeditiously” in the left margin.↩
- See Document 167.↩