196. Letter From President Ford to Kenyan President Kenyatta1 2
Dear Mr. President:
Thank you very much for your letter of September 28. You may be assured that the United States supports you and your government in your continuing efforts to maintain stability and progress. As Secretary of State Kissinger has told you during your recent meetings, we consider your country both an anchor of hope for stability and an example worthy of emulation.
We look forward to continued excellent relations in all fields. The United States is interested in further development of our economic and commercial ties. We support your objectives in economic development and other areas through our AID program, and we look forward to continued and expanded discussion on international issues. I am also pleased that we have been able to assist you in your efforts to upgrade your defense capability and thereby ease somewhat the burdens imposed by your difficult decision in this regard—a decision the necessity of which we fully understand.
We are pursuing arrangements to fulfill your request for a fly past on Jamhuri Day, December 12. We will be communicating further with you on this matter shortly.
I was sorry to learn that you will not be able to come to the United States this November, but I appreciate your desire to do so and very much hope that such a visit will be possible in the near future. Although I have come to know you and your country better through [Page 2] the reports of Secretary Kissinger, I regret that I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting you personally. I hope that this will be rectified at an early date.
Sincerely,
- Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Kissinger Papers, Box CL 94, Geopolitical File, Africa, Chronological File. No classification marking.↩
- Ford reiterated the U.S. offer for a “fly past” on Kenya’s Independence Day, December 12, and expressed his regret that President Kenyatta would not be able to visit the United States in November.↩