Foreign Relations of the United States, 1981–1988, Volume XLI, Global Issues II

241. Action Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Crocker) to Secretary of State Shultz¹

Washington, February 22, 1985

SUBJECT

• Letter to Foreign Ministers in International Donor Community Regarding Food Crisis in Africa

ISSUE FOR DECISION

Whether to approve the attached letter in cable form to Foreign Ministers of donor countries² stressing the importance of the March 11 United Nations sponsored international conference in Geneva, and asking for additional assistance to drought-stricken African nations.³ The letter also underscores the urgent need for close coordination between donors, including international efforts to persuade the Ethiopian Government to permit help to reach the three million people in contested areas in Eritrea, Tigray and Welo provinces.

ESSENTIAL FACTORS

The United Nations Secretary General has called for an international conference on March 11 in Geneva to review progress in providing assistance to drought-stricken African countries. The United States will give over $1 billion in emergency relief to Africa this fiscal year (with passage of the $235 million supplemental request currently before Congress).⁴ To date, we have supplied approximately half of the world-wide donor effort in the current African crisis. While other donors have also been forthcoming, we hope they will continue to join us in meeting remaining emergency needs. Your letter emphasizes to these other donors the importance we place on the upcoming conference, as does Vice President Bush’s plans to address the opening session on March 11.⁵

Your letter also fits into our policy of internationalizing pressure on the Ethiopian government to allow safe passage of food into rebel-controlled areas of northern Ethiopia. As many as three million people, perhaps a majority of those affected by the current Ethiopian drought, are behind rebel lines and are receiving only marginal assistance through Ethiopian government feeding centers and through unpublicized cross border feeding operations from Sudan. The situation has deteriorated, with as many as 1700 people in insurgent areas dying per day, and mass migrations taking place to Sudan.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That you approve the attached letter to the Foreign Ministers of donor nations for transmittal as soon as possible to allow timely consideration in donor capitals before the Geneva conference.⁶

1. Source: Department of State, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Subject Files, Edward Derwinski, 1984–1985, Lot 87D326, Famine Relief in Africa—1985. Confidential. Drafted by Szymanski on February 21 and cleared in AF, C, and AF/EPS.
2. Dated February 21, attached but not printed.
3. In telegram 78127 to Nairobi, March 15, the Department provided a summary of the conference. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850176–0715)
4. See footnote 3, Document 235.
5. In telegram 77422 to multiple recipients, March 14, the Department transmitted the text of the Vice President’s March 11 speech in Geneva. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850173–0645)
6. There is no indication of approval or disapproval of the recommendation. In telegram 63884 to all OECD capitals, Canberra, Wellington, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, and Kuwait, March 2, the Department transmitted the text of the Secretary’s letter. (Department of State, Central Foreign Policy File, D850144–0096)