190. Telegram 7042 From the Embassy in Kenya to the Department of State1 2
Subject:
- Secretary’s Message to President Kenyatta
Ref:
- State 168649
For the Secretary from Ambassador
1. At 1000 GMT at State House Nakuru, I gave President Kenyatta your letter which he then asked me to read to him. He listened until I had finished without comment and then said, “wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.”
2. In specific reply, Kenyatta accepts your suggestion to send a P–3 aircraft to Nairobi and a frigate to Mombasa. The suggestion of the P–3 coming to Nairobi particularly appealed to Kenyatta who stated, “The emphasis should [garble].”
President [garble] the P–3 would come and how long both the P–3 and the [garble]: frigate [garble].
3. Replying to your second point, Kenyatta observed, “I don’t know what this man Amin may decide to do.” Pondering over the word “imminent” he stated, “I am not quite sure that an attack is imminent. I don’t want to say something that later might not be quite right.” President Kenyatta will not take any present action on your suggestion regarding the OAU.
4. In response to your last paragraph, Kenyatta stated he would keep you informed and that, “if there is a way in which an outsider (he clarified this to mean the U.S.) could raise the matter in the UN, then this fellow (Amin) here will know we have some important and powerful friends. To some it might look like political propaganda but it would be a great help to us.”
5. The President added, “Please tell Secretary Kissinger how happy we are to know how strongly he is on our side and are all thankful for the interest he has taken in this matter. I have informed the cabinet.”
6. Kenyatta indicated he wishes discussions of entire subject to be very closely held in Kenya. “Matters get whispered about and then misunderstood.” He told me that he would “command” Presidential PermSec Kariithi and MOD PermSec Kiereini to hold this matter and any discussion with me in utmost confidentiality.
7. Comment: The secrecy (para 6) being imposed by Kenyatta may well nullify effect in achieving indication of support (P–3 and frigate) by U.S. of Kenya. I recommend we suggest to Kenyatta that presence in Kenya of P–3 and frigate be publicly made known at appropriate time as indication of U.S. support.
Note by OC/T: Nairobi 7042 text as received. Correction to follow.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Policy Files, 1976. Secret; Flash; Exdis.↩
- Ambassador Marshall reported that President Kenyatta accepted the suggestion to send a P–3 aircraft to Nairobi and a frigate to Mombassa. Marshall also recommended that he suggest to Kenyatta publicizing the presence of U.S. military hardware in Kenya.↩