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

168. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassies in Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, and the United Kingdom, and to the Mission to the United Nations¹

Washington, May 22, 1979, 0056Z

129719. Subject: Uganda—Secretary Receives Lule’s Representative, May 18.

1. Secretary welcomed Semei Nyanzi, special envoy of Uganda’s Provisional President Lule May 18 and asked for his views on the current situation in Uganda. Nyanzi said he appreciated being received promptly. His first duty was to deliver to the Secretary Lule’s letter to President Carter² and a letter from Lule identifying Nyanzi.³ Attending the meeting were AF DAS Keeley and AF/E Director Beyer.

2. Nyanzi said President Lule asked that he express the deep gratitude of the Ugandan people for US political and economic support in recent months. Though Amin has now been overthrown, Ugandans hope US support will continue. We seek close relations with US, Nyanzi said, and we are trying to create a government which will not repeat past history. We seek a stable society, a democratic system for our people and good relations with all countries. Since arriving in Washington, everyone has been most sympathetic to our situation. We have to help our people psychologically and morally, especially the young people who have not known in the past eight years a moral or rational environment.

3. Nyanzi said he wanted to make two points particularly. First, Tanzania has no rpt no intention of trying to impose any policy or program on us. There are differences between us and the Tanzanians and Nyerere has told Lule the Tanzanian system can’t work in Uganda. We need economic relations with all surrounding countries. We have urged, therefore, normalization of relations between Kenya and Tanzania and open borders. We understand why Kenya took position it did towards Amin regime. We now have established good relations with Kenya. Secondly, we do need help from US. We recognize legal prohibitions against aid to Uganda must be rescinded and that these actions take time. We have appreciated two delegations sent to Kampala and Bob Keeley here is well aware of our needs.⁴

4. Nyanzi then outlined current organization and plans of Ugandan Provisional Government. One immediate problem is the numerous arms in the hands of the people. In eastern Uganda there have already been incidents which the presence of arms in the area have made more serious. Another problem was brewing in western Uganda. We hope when our troops and the Tanzanians finish overcoming the last remnants of Amin’s forces that they will assume a policing role. We would like to license the possession of all weapons. The first elections will be to the district councils hopefully this month. The district councils will then elect a constituent assembly. We intend to ask the UN to do a census before national elections are held.

5. Secretary said it is good to hear of the progress the new government has already made. We welcomed the end of the Amin regime and wish to have good and close relations with the new Ugandan Government. We recognize there are problems of rehabilitation as well as economic needs. President Carter has lifted the embargo on Uganda which means private charitable institutions can begin to be of assistance to Uganda again.⁵ Also subsidiaries of US oil companies in Kenya will be able to get back into business of supplying petroleum products to Uganda. Congress is in the process of repealing the restrictions on aid to Uganda. We expect this to move along rapidly.⁶ We will be giving priority consideration to your humanitarian and other needs. We wish you and your people well in establishing a free and democratic society and in re-establishing relations with other nations. What about the Libyans, what kind of relations will you establish with them?

6. Nyanzi replied that his government distinguishes between the leader of Libya and the Libyan people. The former is a problem, but we are not antagonistic to the Libyan people. Indeed many young Libyan soldiers who were sent to fight in Uganda did not know why they were there. It was a tragic situation because many were killed. We have no animosity towards Muslims and we see the possibility for cooperation with Sudan and Egypt.

7. Secretary said Lule’s letter would be sent this evening to the President⁷ who would study it over the weekend, and we will be back in touch to your President promptly.⁸ (Lule’s letter to the President requested immediate emergency assistance and, on a longer term, requested economic aid in various fields outlined in an enclosure totaling dollars 1.3 billion.) We are delighted to hear the Uganda-Kenya-Tanzania relationship is developing in a constructive fashion. This is important for the region as well as for the individual countries. Secretary said he has a high regard for Nyerere, he is a good man. Nevertheless each state should have its own system. That is better than trying to import someone else’s system or have someone dictate a system for you.

8. Secretary then asked about situation of the army and police forces. Nyanzi said the present forces would be demobilized and new, smaller forces constituted. UK has been asked to help with police because their system has been used in the past.

9. Nyanzi said we are cautiously establishing relations with China, not unlike US approach. PRC is offering practical help without reference to ideology. Secretary said he is delighted to hear that. US–PRC relations were for many years difficult, but now we are beginning to build up a good relationship. Just in the past week we have moved forward by agreeing to work together in the fields of technology and cultural exchanges. We are pleased Chinese are now prepared to help you. They built a good railway in Tanzania. We welcome their help to you.

10. Keeley asked about Uganda’s relations with others, e.g. USSR and Sudan. Relations with Sudan are coming along well, Nyanzi replied, but USSR has not been very forthcoming. Ugandan people know Amin regime spent a good deal of money for arms bought from the Soviets. These arms were used against other Ugandans. It is now difficult to convince the people of the utility of having relations with USSR. It is also difficult to deal with Soviet state organizations. Secretary concurred state enterprises are always difficult to deal with and Soviets seem to be more willing to supply military rather than economic assistance. US view is that we help where we can economically, encourage countries to develop their own institutions in accordance with their own culture and values and stress that each country must decide these matters for itself. Nyanzi said he and the Ugandan people recognize this is US position and appreciate it. Keeley commented our new Chargé, David Halsted, would arrive in Kampala by the end of the month so we will be in daily communication. Nyanzi said his government will welcome Halsted’s arrival.

Christopher

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790232–0392. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Beyer; approved by Wisner and Keeley.
2. The letter, dated May 9, included an attachment with a summary of emergency relief needs for the Ugandan people. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, President’s Correspondence with Foreign Leaders File, Box 20, Uganda: President Yusuf K. Lule)
3. Not found.
4. For the report of the Blane Mission, see Document 167. In telegram 7824 from Nairobi, May 3, the Embassy reported on Keeley’s May 2–3 visit to Kampala and his meetings with foreign dignitaries as well as the new Ugandan officials. (National Archives, RG 59, Central Foreign Policy File, D790202–0459)
5. On May 15, President Carter issued a determination that the Government of Uganda was no longer committing gross violations of human rights, and he requested that the Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce take appropriate steps to permit the immediate resumption of trade with Uganda. (Public Papers of the Presidents: Jimmy Carter, 1979, Book I, p. 867)
6. Congress repealed the ban on economic aid to Uganda on September 11 (P.L. 96–67). Immediately after Carter signed the measure into law on September 21, the Department of State approved $6.2 million in emergency food and development aid for Uganda. (Congress and the Nation, Volume 5, 1977–1980, p. 78)
7. In a memorandum to Carter, May 18, Vance described his meeting with Nyanzi and included the letter to Carter from Lule. (Carter Library, National Security Affairs, Brzezinski Material, Subject File, Box 21, Evening Reports (State) 5/79)
8. See Document 169.