300. Telegram 138074 From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ethiopia, the Consulate in Asmara, and Kagnew Station1 2
JOINT STATE-DEFENSE MESSAGE
FOR YOST, RABIDA AND JONES FROM
AMBASSADOR
REF:
- Addis Ababa 3738, August 22, 1969
1. Admiral Gayler and General Denholm advise me Kagnew reduction 200 personnel largely without dependents planned for next nine months beginning in approximately ten days. About 100 personnel will depart in September.
2. Although this apart from and in different area than planned reduction of approximately same number expected as result consolidation Stratcom and Navy Communications facilities, suggest we remind IEG of earlier advice we gave Ketema and Asrate of contemplated reductions (reftel) and state they now expected to begin although we cannot yet relinquish portion antenna fields.
[Page 2]Important to emphasize relationship this reduction to earlier discussion reftel in order to avoid possible tendency their part to unjustifiably assume reduction related to recent congressional hearings.
3. In course discussion you should remind them these cuts in response suggestions received from IEG MOFA (Ketema, Tesfaye and Ayelew) that reduction U.S. presence Asmara desirable. Also mention we anticipate further reductions in next year or so as additional technical advances introduced which will likely include relinquishment certain land areas.
4. Suggest Yost also inform Brumit EAL of reduction to cut off one source speculation and permit him adjust, if necessary, services accordingly.
5. Anticipate Asrate, and possibly Ketema, will express concern at effects reduction on Asmara. Should he do so suggest Rabida use opportunity to gently point out differences Addis and Asmara opinion, both public and [Page 3] official, on Kagnew and to suggest some Eritrean missionary work with Addis might be useful.
6. Once IEG notified suggest U.S.
officers of all elements be briefed and authorized respond factually to
rumors and questions which will arise. Movement of people involved in
reduction will be handled by DOD on
routine basis without public announcement.
END
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, DEF 15 ETH–US. Secret; Limdis. Drafted by Hall (AF/E); cleared in draft in NSA, ASA, PM, INR/DDC; cleared by DOD/ISA, AF/E, AF/P, OSD/A, Joint Staff/J–5; and approved by Moore. Repeated to CINCSTRIKE.↩
- This joint Department of State-Department of Defense message reported that Kagnew would reduce personnel levels by 200 in the next 9 months in addition to numbers from planned consolidation. This was in accord with the Ethiopian Governmentʼs desire that the U.S. presence near Asmara be diminished.↩