In keeping with the practice you have established, upon your return from
Africa I asked State and the NSC to
bring together a comprehensive report on the actions being taken to
implement the initiatives resulting from your trip. I have worked
closely with Moose and Funk on this.
State has now sent to the White House (Tab A) its report—which is
concurred in by the NSC.
In almost every instance, the report indicates that satisfactory
follow-up action is underway. On pages 1 and 2 of the report the
Department of State and NSC recommend,
and I concur, that you take the following actions to build on the
African trip:
—A recommendation to the President that he confirm an appointment for
President Shagari of Nigeria on the October 7 White House calendar.4 (I would note that this is a fast-moving item. The
office call has been confirmed. Anne Wexler and Louis Martin will be pressing the
President to agree to give a dinner for Shagari, bearing in mind the
highly successful impact of Mugabe’s White House visit.5 Anne notes that Gretchen Posten is enthusiastic
provided the President gives the go-ahead, and she notes that we will be
in the new budget cycle. I told her that I would recommend to you that
you support a White House dinner for Shagari and that if you agreed I
would include it in your talking points for your September 8 luncheon
with the President.6 In addition to the political
benefit which Anne and Louis see, there are important foreign policy
reasons for the President to extend such hospitality to Shagari. Shagari
sees his first visit to the United States as President, a visit in which
he will present Nigeria’s 20th Anniversary of Independence address to
the UN, as very important. His visit
builds on the success of your meetings just concluded in Lagos, and has
the potential for a further increase in the constructive development of
U.S.-Nigerian relations.);
—And, a recommendation that you advise Ambassador Evron of the results of
your conversations in Africa on possible African moves toward the
establishment of relations with Israel.7 I will include
talking points on this subject for your meeting with Eppi on Tuesday,
September 2.
That you sign the letter to Orville Freeman at Tab 1 and the letter to
Tom Ehrlich of IDCA at Tab 2.8
Tab A
Memorandum From the Executive Director of the
Department of State (Tarnoff) to the President’s Assistant for
National Security Affairs (Brzezinski)9
Washington, August 26, 1980
SUBJECT
- Follow-Up On the Vice President’s Trip to West Africa
This memorandum lists the initiatives which resulted from the Vice
President’s visit to West Africa July 16–23. There are four actions
which might require direct follow-up by the Vice President. Two of
these related to the establishment of the Joint Agricultural
Consultative Committee, which was one of the key areas of
concentration at the bilateral meetings in Lagos. We recommend that
the Vice President consider the following:
1. Sign a letter to Orville Freeman asking him to serve as the
Chairman of the Joint Agricultural Consultative Committee. The
Department has already discussed the Committee with Mr. Freeman but
nobody has yet asked him to be Chairman. A self-explanatory draft
letter which has been cleared by Agriculture Under Secretary
Hathaway is attached to this memorandum (Tab 1).
2. Sign a letter to IDCA Director
Thomas Ehrlich requesting that IDCA consider funding the initial visit to Nigeria of
the members of the Joint Agricultural Consultative Committee
(scheduled for late this year or early next year) to identify
projects. IDCA was originally very
forthcoming on this idea, but has recently shown signs of diminished
interest. A draft letter is also attached (Tab 2).
3. Secure a time on the President’s schedule for a meeting with
President Shagari of Nigeria. In response to the Vice President’s
invitation, President Shagari will arrive in Washington on the
morning of October 7 and depart that same evening for Nigeria. The
White House has been unable to provide a time for this meeting
because of the
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uncertainties for the President’s schedule so far in advance.
Although recognizing that this is an election year, the Nigerians
are very sensitive about sufficient advance notification. In 1973
President Nixon kept Head of State Yakubu Gowon waiting for an
appointment that never materialized. This non-meeting contributed
substantially to a deterioration in relations with Nigeria. Both the
Ambassador in Washington and at the UN have indicated that they would very much appreciate
early confirmation of an appointment time.
4. Debrief Israeli Ambassador Evron on the results of the visit. The
Israelis are very interested in the results of any conversations of
the Vice President regarding possible African moves toward the
reestablishment of relations with Israel. The Israeli Embassy
understood before the visit that the Vice President would urge
African leaders to consider these ties.
Following is the list of initiatives from the Vice President’s visit
with notes on the current status of each.
I. Regional
Ambassador Hormats agreed to
send a letter to ECOWAS
regarding US assistance to that organization. The letter has been
sent. STR is now following up on a
proposed symposium on US–ECOWAS
trade and investment, scheduled tentatively for October 28–29.
II. Senegal
A. Assistance to police the territorial seas off Senegal, The Gambia,
Guinea-Bissau and Mauritania. The President of the Senegalese
Economic and Social Council requested assistance in protecting
offshore fishing areas. In response to this request the Vice
President raised the issue with Goler
T. Butcher, AID
Assistant Administrator for Africa. AID is pursuing the issue with the preparation of a
document for design of a project on the protection of fisheries.
Discussion of the issue with Senegalese officials is anticipated in
the context of a visit to Senegal September 29 to October 1 by the
President’s Science Advisor Frank
Press.
B. Request for a stepped-up youth exchange program between the U.S.
and Senegal. In response to a request from the Minister of Youth and
Sports, the Vice President said that we would place the Minister in
contact with appropriate American organizations when he visited the
U.S. in September 1980. USICA is
arranging these contacts at the present time.
III. Niger
A. C–130 Pilot Training. The Vice
President told President Kountche that we would train C–130 pilots and ground crew members
under our IMET program in FY 81.
The allocation of funds must await Con
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gressional action on FY 81 aid appropriations.
Agreement has already been reached within the Department to
reprogram funds in FY 81.
B. USAID level increase. The Vice
President told President Kountche that we would increase our FY 81
AID program level. After
receiving clearance from AID,
delegation informed Nigerians that US assistance would increase by
$3 million in FY 81—an amount equivalent to the FY 81 request of
Congress. AID is pursuing this.
C. Support for Niger with the IBRD
and other international financial institutions. The Vice President
pledged that the U.S. would support Niger in its international
efforts to offset the revenue shortfall caused by the slump in
uranium prices. At about the same time, the IMF approved a $7.1 million SDR Trust Fund Loan. The State Department will remain
in close contact with Treasury on these questions.
D. Talks with Kountche. President Kountche suggested the Vice
President speak with the Nigerian President about the situation in
Chad and Liberia. Only Liberia was discussed with Foreign Minister
Audu during the visit to Lagos. The Department has forwarded a brief
summary of this conversation and that of Mr. Moose during his subsequent visit
to Monrovia for the Ambassador to use in his discussions with
President Kountche.
E. Uranium issues. Since the Vice President’s visit, we have been
notified that the Libyan Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) safeguards agreement entered into
force July 8, 1980. As a result the pressure is diminished on Niger
to cease its exports to Libya. Uranium shipped to Libya by Niger
will now be under safeguards pursuant to the safeguards agreement.
To facilitate the flow of information in this area Niger will
continue to record its exports in the Official
Journal and will begin to report directly to the IAEA.
F. Arms sales. President Kountche indicated that the Nigeriens would
be interested in purchasing military equipment from the United
States. There has been no subsequent discussion of this topic
between the Nigeriens and our Embassy.
G. Closer cooperation in the area of intelligence exchange. In
response to President Kountche’s request for cooperation in this
area, the Vice President agreed to send a senior intelligence
officer to Niamey to meet with President Kountche. A message about
this visit, now scheduled for late September or early October, was
sent August 11, [2 lines not
declassified].
IV. Nigeria
A. General
1. Meeting between President Carter and President Shagari. As noted on the first
page, preparations are underway for President Shagari’s visit to
Washington.
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2. The US agreed to consider issuance of multiple entry visas for
students. We are waiting for a response from the Nigerians regarding
reciprocity. The Embassy will follow up.
B. Agriculture.
1. Implementation of Memorandum of Understanding on Agricultural
Cooperation. Under Secretary Hathaway will chair the U.S. side of
the working group set up to implement the agreement. We are waiting
for the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture to identify priority
projects. The FGN ministry has
promised us this information by September 1. Quentin West or Dale
Hathaway will be on the Frank
Press trip, and the Working Group will meet at that
time to discuss specific project proposals based on these
priorities.
2. Establishment of Joint Agricultural Consultative Committee. State
is in the process of compiling a list of potential members. We are
aiming for the American side to meet with President Shagari during
his October visit to Washington, and for the team to travel to
Nigeria late this year or early next year.
C. Energy
1. The Department of Energy is developing specific proposals,
including estimates of budget requirements, for the implementation
of each of the energy cooperation areas mentioned in the Joint
Communique.10 These
proposals should be ready in about two weeks.
2. The DOE proposals will include
programs of information and training involving exchange of
scientific and technical information in each area. They will also
include in some areas short-term visits by scientific and technical
persons from the two countries. They may also include temporary
assignments of a few Nigerians at DOE and private facilities for training and
observation. The proposals will be discussed with a Nigerian team
(yet to be named) when they visit Washington this fall.
3. In solar energy, DOE is working
to identify one or more solar demonstration projects which could be
jointly funded, in addition to preparing an information and training
program directed at the development of a solar research capability
in Nigeria. This will also be discussed during the fall visit of the
Nigerian experts.
4. In the area of “facilitation of joint ventures and other
appropriate vehicles for manufacturing equipment and material to
support the oil industry in Nigeria,” DOE will be working with the office of the Special
Trade Representative to develop proposals for cooperation. State is
participating in the preparation of the proposals.
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D. Science and Technology
1. A draft S&T agreement and
projects were tabled during the bilaterals. The advance team for
Frank Press visited Lagos
August 4–5 and discussed both matters with the Nigerians. The
Nigerians are reviewing our agreement and we expect a response from
them shortly. Specific follow-up actions on priority project areas
were also agreed upon. The Department is coordinating these actions
within the USG. Several of the more
promising proposals that emerged include cooperation in fisheries
development, industrial management and maintenance technology, and
remote sensing via LANDSAT.
2. In connection with areas of priority concern identified by the
Nigerians, the USG sent a team of
experts from EPA to Nigeria August
21 to develop specific project proposals for cooperation in
environment. A NOAA team arrives
in Lagos on August 29 to discuss a fisheries-marine science
agreement.
3. AID’s regional housing officer in
Abidjan will visit Nigeria in September at the time of the Press
visit to discuss Nigerian interests in obtaining training assistance
for government and mortgage banking personnel.
E. Trade and Investment
1. Ambassador Hormats agreed
that upon his return to the U.S. he would speak with Export-Import
Bank Chairman, John Moore, to determine why Ex-Im had not financed
more projects in Nigeria and report back to the Nigerians. Hormats spoke to Moore, who has
promised to send him a full report on EXIM activity in Nigeria. When he receives the report
(which will show that EXIM is
moving very rapidly but the Nigerian bureaucracy is not acting on
projects), he will send a copy to the Nigerians.
2. The US side agreed to consider promptly the contents of the
proposed “Agreement on Economic, Scientific and Technical
Cooperation” tabled during the talks and respond to this initiative
in September. Most of the substance of this will be included in the
agreement to be signed during the Press visit. We are working with
the Press staff to make sure this deadline is met.
3. The US side agreed to inquire at the Justice Department when they
would provide a clarification of the legal status of negotiations
between the American West African Freight Conference and the US. We
have provided a tentative response, and will respond further when
Justice reaches a final decision which is expected in about three
months.
4. Commerce agreed to assist in the establishment of trade and
investment centers in the U.S. Commerce is gathering information on
existing centers here and abroad to determine representative costs,
staffing requirements, methods of operations etc., to send the
Embassy for the Nigerians by the end of this month.
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5. Assist FGN to identify ways in
which Nigeria can take greater advantage of USDOC’s services. Commerce has
prepared packages of information pamphlets on their services to be
given to ministries and other FGN
officials. These packages were sent August 15.
6. Assist Nigeria to derive maximum benefit from OPIC. FGN has promised to send OPIC a list of specific projects they are interested
in. Once that list is received, OPIC will review it and begin recruiting appropriate
companies for an investment mission to Nigeria.
7. Each government agreed to designate a senior official to be in
frequent contact on trade and investment problems. The USG has proposed designating Commerce
Deputy Assistant Secretary Peter Gould as our senior official. When
approved by the Secretary of Commerce (by the end of August), we
will formally notify the FGN and
request that they name a counterpart official.
8. The USG and the FGN agreed to conduct joint seminars
in major U.S. cities to expose American business people to
opportunities in the Nigerian market. Commerce plans to wait until
the FGN names its senior official
(see above) before organizing seminars.
9. The US and the Nigerians agreed to exchange drafts for a Bilateral
Trade Agreement. We received a draft agreement from the Nigerians on
August 9, which was a form agreement more suitable for use with a
non-GATT country; thus it is
not applicable to our purposes. The Trade Policy Committee is
drafting a new agreement incorporating some of the language from the
Nigerian draft. We expect to cable a draft to Lagos early in the
first week of September. The Nigerians have been informed of the
reasons for the delay.
10. The US agreed to support legislation for Congressional
authorization for GSP eligibility
for Nigeria. This must await outcome of negotiation of bilateral
trade agreement.
11. The US and the Nigerians agreed to resume negotiations on the
Bilateral Tax Treaty. The US proposed March 2 to resume
negotiations. The Nigerians have tentatively accepted this date.
12. The Nigerians agreed to notify GATT of their trade restrictions each year. The Office
of the Special Trade Representative will monitor this decision.
13. The Nigerians agreed to review their policy regarding issuance of
Multiple Entry Visas to businessmen and others. State and Commerce
are compiling information to provide the Nigerians with an update on
recent experiences of businessmen. The Nigerians agreed then to
review their policy. The Embassy will monitor this situation.
14. The Nigerians agreed to explore the possibility of centralizing
and simplifying the approvals process for foreign investors. The
Embassy will follow up by continuing to encourage such action.
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15. The Nigerians agreed to advise the US regarding the status of
Corps of Engineers Niger River Project. There has been no contact as
yet.
16. Establishment of a Nigeria-US Business Council. The US Chamber of
Commerce has been informed. State has discussed next steps with
them. Follow up rests with U.S. Chamber, as this is to be a strictly
private sector organization.
F. Education
1. Both sides agreed to act on the final agreement and signing of the
teacher training program. We are waiting for a response from the
Nigerians. IDCA is pursuing
this.
2. Status report on use of funds from National Universities
Commission (NUC) block grant.
ICA is looking into this. They
will then submit a proposal for integrating NUC program with Fulbright program by early
September.
3. Explore linkages in higher education including availability of
Title XII assistance for higher education. State and ICA are exploring these possibilities
and will advise the Embassy by early September.
4. The US agreed to advise the Nigerians on criteria for issuance of
J–I visas for students. The Embassy and ICA are providing information on requirements to the
Nigerians.
5. The Nigerians agreed to post education attaches at their Embassy
and consulates. The Ministry of Education proposal is being
circulated within the Nigerian Government. Our Embassy will be
checking on the status.
V. Cape Verde
A. Affirmation of commitment to deliver 5000 MT of corn in PL 480
Title II program when adequate storage is available. The PL 480 office has already begun
arrangements to ship the corn, scheduled for September when it is
anticipated that storage will be available and the corn needed. This
process is still underway but no problems are foreseen.
B. Statement that the US is pleased to work with Cape Verde on a
possible Title III program (without a commitment). No action will be
taken until after the start of FY 81. No further action required at
the moment; the Department will follow-up with AID when planning begins on the next
budget cycle.
C. John Sawhill of the Department of Energy offered to assist the
Director of the Technical Research Institute, should he visit the US
again, in obtaining any information on US programs for alternate
energy. The Department of Energy agreed in any case to provide
whatever documentation the Institute might request, and to
“cooperate in other ways.” The ball is in the GOCV court on the DOE offer. If nothing
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is forthcoming, State might recommend
that DOE send a letter confirming
our interest in providing this information.
D. Statement that the US was doubling its Portuguese language
scholarship program ($100,000 to $200,000). This was stated in the
context of a discussion about AID
training in the US for agricultural/irrigation projects. AID has already doubled the technical
training program allocation, for FY 80, as the Vice-President
stated. Nominees are to be selected by the GOCV.
E. The Vice President suggested that our Charge inform Defense
Minister Da Luz of our offer to provide medical treatment for his
daughter. Charge Torre has discussed this with the Defense Minister
and the details of his daughter’s visit to Washington are being
arranged for early September.
