Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–5, Part 1, Documents on Sub-Saharan Africa, 1969–1972

299. Memorandum From the Presidentʼs Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kissinger) to President Nixon¹ ²

Washington, August 12, 1970

SUBJECT:

• Midnight Sun

After six frustrating weeks and several serio-comic false starts, we have finally succeeded in getting the Midnight Sun and its crew released by the Somali Government.

The crew was apparently well treated at all times. The vessel is now on the high seas bound for Mombasa. The owner of the vessel, Vincent Guzzetta of Louisiana, is on his way to Mombasa.

The high point, or the low point, depending on your point of view, of this episode was the attempt of the head Somali, General Siad, to send you a personal message announcing the decision to release the Midnight Sun. The Somali Embassy here was never able to deliver the message because they could never get their Russian-provided coding machines to function properly.

1. Source: National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 743, Country Files, Africa, Somalia Republic, Vol. I. Confidential. Sent for information. A stamp on the memorandum reads: “The President has seen.”
2. Kissinger reported the release of the The Midnight Sun and its crew. A personal message from General Siad to President Nixon could not be delivered as Russian-provided coding machines did not function properly.