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U.S.-African Policy

-1. Central Intelligence Agency Report, Office of National Estimates Memorandum, Washington, March 13, 1969 [ PDF version   ] 

The CIA reported that a decline of prospects for Communist-oriented radicalism in Africa had apparently led Moscow to some shifts in emphasis in its approach to black Africa.  The African elite tended to view Soviet ideology as irrelevant and was still culturally attuned to the West.

Source:  Central Intelligence Agency Files, DDI Files, Job 79-R00967A, Box 1, Folder 1.  Secret.

During his meeting with Secretary Rogers, Kenyan Ambassador Nabwera said bilateral relations between the United States and Kenya were excellent, but the United States should formulate an independent policy toward Africa and not follow the lead of other Western powers such as the United Kingdom and France. He also expressed concern about the impression among Africans that the United States was not giving much attention to Africa. 

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1967-69, POL 1 AFR-US.  Limited Official Use. Drafted by Terence  A. Todman (AF/E) and approved in S.

Morris provided a status report on several African policy issues involving Nigeria, Southern Africa, the Congo, succession problems, and foreign aid.

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I.  Secret. Kissinger wrote in the margin next to section 4, Succession Problems, "Can't we pull this into NSC."

Morris provided an update on the issues discussed in his April 23 memorandum (Document 3).

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 741, Country Files, Africa, Nigeria, Vol. I.  Secret.  Kissinger wrote in the margin next to section 2, Contingency Planning for Nigeria, "Right But practically how do we do it?"

In this report on Communist China's presence in Africa, the CIA stated that until China abandoned its Maoist approach it would not make major gains in Africa.

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 742, Country Files, Africa, General, Thru Feb 70.  Secret; No foreign dissem.

In this published report the President summarized his administration's goals and policies regarding Africa. A major concern was "that the Continent be free of great power rivalry or conflict in any form."

Source:  Washington, D.C.:  Government Printing Office. No classification marking.

Kissinger reviewed the main themes of Secretary Rogers' discussions during his trip to Africa. Attached but not published at Tab A are Talking Points for Nixon's meeting with Rogers.

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 281, Agency Files, Department of State, 12/01/69-02/21/70, Vol. V.  Confidential.

In a conversation with Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs David Newsom, Felix Houphouet-Boigny, President of the Republic of Ivory Coast, expressed his belief that what was most to be feared in Africa was the spread of communism. He was particularly concerned about the Soviet presence in Nigeria.  Newsom noted that the United States was aware of communist activities in Africa but considered it important to view the problem in each country in terms of the local situation and needs.

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL 17 IVCOT. Confidential. Drafted by W.F. Miller (ECON) on March 13 and cleared by Ambassador J.F. Root.

President Nixon enumerated specific foreign policy issues of interest to him. Those dealing with Africa were relegated to the lowest priority.  The portion of the memorandum concerning domestic issues is not published.

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Subject Files, HAK/President Memorandums 1969-1970.  No classification markings; Eyes Only.

Secretary of State Rogers submitted to Nixon a 25-page statement on U.S. African policy under cover of this March 26 letter. No classification marking.

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 281, Agency Files, Department of State, Vol. VI.

Nixon responded favorably to Rogers's statement on U.S. African policy, which was a more detailed and in-depth discussion on the subject than was given in Nixon's February 18 Report to Congress (Document 7).

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 281, Agency Files, Department of State, Vol. VI.  No classification marking. Under Nixon's signature is written in an unidentified hand, "Do the notes on the next two pages suggest this was signed by machine after HAK's approval?  The carbon copy indicates /s/RN." The next two pages, which are not published, include handwritten notes stating that "HAK Approves for President."

The embassy reported on President Nixon's meeting with President Tito on October 1, during which the two men discussed "Black Africa" at some length. Tito commented that it was difficult to assess Sino-Soviet competition in black Africa but he was impressed by Chinese efforts.  He agreed with Nixon that China's policy was more clever and sophisticated than that of the Soviets. He advised that change in Black Africa not be regarded as a move towards socialism or communism.

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, S/S Conference Files, 1966-1972, Entry 3051B, Box 518, President Nixon's Trip to Europe, 9/27-10/5/70, Schedule, Memcons, Public Statements, Vol. I of V.  Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Also sent to U.S. Office in Limerick.

President Nixon's second foreign policy report to Congress acknowledged Rogers' lengthy policy statement of March 26, 1970, (attachment to Document 11) and then elaborated on his specific goals for Africa: peace, economic development, and justice.

Source:  Washington, D.C.:  Government Printing Office.  No classification marking.

This analysis of what the Chinese Communists "were up to in Black Africa" concerned Chinese efforts to create friction between the United States and the USSR while convincing various African governments that ties to China would be more beneficial to their interests than ties to Taiwan.

Source:  Central Intelligence Agency, DDI Files, Job 79-R00967A, Box 3, folder 2.   Secret.

In his meeting with President Nixon, President Senghor of Senegal expressed deep concern about the growing Communist Chinese influence in Africa.  Nixon assured Senghor that he fully understood his concern and that U.S. efforts to establish a healthier relationship with Communist China were not based on any underestimation of the danger that Maoist philosophy posed to free nations.

Source:  National Archives, Nixon Presidential Materials, NSC Files, Box 743, Country Files, Africa, Senegal, Vol. I.  No classification marking. Drafted on June 23.

This NIE, "Troubles in East Africa," examined growing domestic problems, communist activities, and other issues in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zambia, and discussed the outlook for those counties and the implications for external powers.

Source:  Central Intelligence Agency Files, NIC Files, Job 79R-01012A, Box 421, Folder 1.  Secret; Controlled Dissem.

President Nixon discussed U.S. interests in Africa, the need for mutual respect and restraint, economic cooperation in the form of loans, private investment, and trade, and the Southern African dilemma.

Source:  Washington, D.C.:  Government Printing Office.  No classification marking.

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs David Newsom told the British during talks on Soviet influence and activities in Africa that there had been a significant lack of Soviet success. The Soviets' best position was in Somalia, but they had failed to advance in Nigeria and Ghana while losing ground in Uganda. Newsom saw a possible new cold war in Africa between the Soviets and the Chinese.

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL AFR-USSR.  Confidential. Drafted by Hal W. Pattison (AF/PPS) on March 10.

During U.S.-British talks on Chinese activities and influence in Africa, there was general agreement that Chinese activities merited attention but there was no real cause for concern since the Chinese were expected to achieve only limited success, similar to the Soviets.

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, POL AFR-Chicom. Confidential. Drafted by Pattison.

During U.S.-French bilateral exchanges on Africa, Secretary-General Hervi Alphand said that the Soviets and the Chinese had not been successful in Africa, communist influence was not dominant, and African countries viewed the communists as sources of aid, not ideology.  Newsom indicated that he was not especially concerned with the Soviets, although they might be overreaching in Somalia.  However, he was concerned about Chinese economic activities, their military establishments, particularly in Tanzania, and their identification with southern African liberation movements.

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, ORG 7 AF.  Confidential. Drafted by A. Steigman (POL) on May 4.

During U.S.-French bilateral exchanges on Non-Francophone Africa, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Newsom, France's Africa Director, Philippe Rebeyrol, and other U.S. and French officials discussed Ghana, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and the Horn of Africa.

Source:  National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970-73, ORG 7 AF.  Confidential. Drafted by A. Steigman of POL on May 5 Drafted by A. Steigman of POL on May 4.