President Tolberts 1976 State Visit to the United States

8/13/2019 President Tolberts 1976 State Visit to the United States

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The original documents are located in Box 3, folder Liberia - President Tolbert (2) of

the National Security Advisers Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders

Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.

Copyright NoticeThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making ofphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United

States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.

Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the publicdomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to

remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid

copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.


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197 UL 2 I 2MOIROVIA JULY 20 1975

E PRESIDEITVHIT HOUS

Y GREAT AND GOOD FR ND CMA WE IN LIBERIA HAVERECEIVED WITH DEEP SATISFACTIOH AD PRDFOUIDGRATIFICATION TH JOYOUS MEWS OF TH SUCCESSFULVE 1 O A LIIKUP IN SPACE BETW1 THEAMERICA POLLO AND THE RUSSlAI SOYUZ19

S ? C ~ C R A 1 T S F O ~ M I ~ S ASPACTRA11 WHICH P E R ~ I T T 0 ~ \ C ~ A SE OF VISITS I SPACE BY THE RUSSIA

C O S ~ O UTS AND THE A tRIC ASTRON U S WHO V RMLYGRE ED tACH O T H ~ AS F R I ~ N D S A D ENABL0 T H E ~T ps-JfORM J O I ~ T E X ? t R Z J I E ~ S OF G EAT SCIEfTIFICV.L E TO A I K ~ D STQP THIS R E ~ A R K A B L A C H I I V E ~ ~ T

I ~ ,0 DOUB A A F F I R ~ A T I O OF THE CORRECT.ESSOF OLICY OF OBJEC11VE COO?ERATON BY

. 1 E R I C ~ ~ D SOVIET S C I E ~ T I S T S CMA DSGJERS CMA

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Digitized from Box 3 of the NSA Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders Collection at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library


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ENGINEERS AID SPACMEI WHICK ~ O W OPENS VAST NEWPOSSIBILITIES IN TH PURSUIT OF SClEiilFICKOWLEDGE FOR PEACEfUL PURPOSES STOP IT IS OURFERVENT HOPE THAT THIS TYPE OF lHTEBNAtlOMALCOOPERATIOI 11 S,ACE TECHNOLOGY WILL REFLECTITSELF ALL AREAS OF HUMAI ERDEAVOURS BRliGlNG

- .. -,-. ----- TOGETHER ALL ~ E N TO GOODWILL EVERYVHRl .SO THATTHE RESOURCES OF THIS PL NET WILL BE UTILIZEDfOR TH l ~ P R O V E M E ~ T IN TK ST ND RD OF LIVINSA ~ D THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MAIITEHAICE OF PEAC

1 AND SECURITY THROUGHOUT OUR ONE WORLD .STOP OJI15161718192021222345

SE:iAtf OF THE GOVER IMtlt AND PEOPLE OF l.ISERIA

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EYE EXTEND HEI.\RTIEST CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUREXCELLENCY THE GOVERNMEIT AND PEOPLE OF T ~ E

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UI TD STATES OF AMERICA AMD THROUGH YOU tOTK DAUNTLESS AID GALLANT ASTRONAUTS FOR THEIRIIDEFATIGABLE AND DEDICATEn SERVlCEsTO HUJIIAIITYSTOP IN COl' MEPIORATIOI I OF THIS OUTSTAIDU4G FEAT

~ . . . . . -.OF ACHIEYEMEIT ~ SCIENCE AID TECHNOLOGY THGOVERNMEIT OF LIBERIA HAS COMMISSIONED THS T R I K I ~ G OF POSTAGE STAMPS WHICH WILL BE USEDf OR MAIL DISTRIBUTIOI THROUGHOUT TH WORLD

E V l D E ~ C H J G OUR B1.1F IN THt NEED Of COMMUNICATIONAS A R ~ R Q U l S I T E TO l1TRNATIONAL COOPIRATIOU FOR


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PROGRESS CMA ADVANCEMENT AID WORLD PEACEVITK RENEWED ASSURANCES OF MY HIGHEST

AID PERSONAL EStEEM S l ~ I R I L YTOLBERT JR

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41.~ C 1 ' l 0 N NOOS00INFO 0 C T ~ 0 1 IS000 1001 WR 0811322 ~ T A N 7PM A M ~ M e ~ S S Y MONROVIATO SECSTATE WASHOC U49QS E e R e T MONROVIA 0 1 3 ~NOD ISEO 116 i?. J )o GQSTAGSI PFOR, A O ~ ~ I

.coS U S J ~ PRESIDENT TOLBERT'S LETTER TO PRESIDENT FORD ON ANGOLAREF; MONROVIA 01071. FOREIGN MINISTER DENNIS GAVE ME PHOTOCOPY OP L ~ T T E H TO

P R E S I 0 E ~ 7 FORO H A N G ~ D ilY P R 6 S I O E ~ i T O L a ~ R T T ~ SPECIAL A M 5 A S S A ~ O ~SPAULDING, H ~ A D OF ~ S O E ~ TO TOL6ERTIS I N ~ U G U R A T l O N .FOi..l.OIHNG Tfi:XT IQUOTE: DeAR MR. PRESIDENTI I WAS PLEASED TO RECEIVE YOURTELEGRAPHIC MESSAGE INFORMING ME OF YOUR VIEWS ON THE UNFORTUNATEANO Dl8TREBSING SITUATION N ANGOLA AND ALSO TO LEARN FIRST HANDOP THE U q J E C T l V ~ OF YOUR GOVERNMENT'S POLICY IN THAT COUNTRY,AS I HAVr A L ~ A Y S ENDEAVOURED TO A O V O C A T ~ THAT ON HATTERS OF

M U T U ~ L CONCERN ~ l T H FAR.REACHING l M P L I C A T I O ~ S FOR THE FUTUREPr:A 1:' rJ ' O I . I Q J ~ , ~ , s Q f l l: ~ I : R I " 4 ND rwc:: U l l ' l f ~ L o ~ ~ ~ : : : , l ~ E nF f . f l iANi i i IckP.P, / oH . . . . . 1 I ..NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE EXECUTIVE S E C R E T A ~ Y

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PAGE 02 MONROV 0 ~ 1 3 ~ 081654ZTO UNITE AND CONSOLIDATE THEIR EFFORTS, IT KAS aekN EXACER9ATEDBY THE U N W A A ~ A N T E D INTERFERtNcE OF F O R ~ E S E X T f R N ~ L TO TKATCOUNTRY. THIS FOREIGN INVOLVEMENT ON THE PART OF ' .M A J O ~ AND . OTHER PQWfRS CONSTITUTES A THNEAT NOT O ~ L Y 0 ANGOLAN

I N D E P E ~ D E N C E ANO AFRICAN UNITV BUT ALSO TO I N T E R N A T I O ~ l L PEACE ,AND S E C U Q I T Y ~ IT WAS IN FULL REALIZATION OF THIS ~ A C T THaT MV :GOVERNMENT HAS ~ E E N CALLING UPON A ~ L OF THE COUNTk E5 P R O V I ~ .lNG ~ I l I i A R Y AN.O OniF.:R ASSISTANt:E TO H ~ F ~ \ C T I O N S t T O DESIST THERf.J.FROM SINCE SUCH A S S I S T ~ N C E WOULD O N ~ V C O ~ T R I B U T E UMTHER TO THE .PROLONGATION OF THE SUFFERING OF THE A N ~ O L A ~ PEOP E IF U R T H E R M ~ R F THIS ts ONE oF THE PRINCibAL REl50NS 1 ~ H V LIBERIAHaS HOT ReCOGNIZED ~ N V OF THE FACT,ONS wHICH C L ~ I M TO BER E P R E S ~ N T I N G THE LFG TIMhTE GOVERNMENT OF ANGOLAFOR WE R E H ~ I N PERSUAOEO THAT O N ~ Y A G O V ~ R N M E P I T OF A NATIONALRECIJNCILIATlON, A GOVERNtE.NT WHICH Erd.[):.lUif:5 f\L.L .OF THE l N G O L ~ N PEOPLE N THEtR UNITY AND SINGLENESS OF P U R P O ~ E

C A ~ AE THE LEGJT M,T G O V E R N M ~ N T OF ANDLA. TO TH S C O ~ V l C T I U NWE R E ~ A I N COMMITTED, AND THIS IS ~ H Y WE HAVE dEEN H E A R T E N ~ OTo LEARN T ~ A T YOUk GCvF.ANMENT S H ~ R F S A S I M I L ~ R V I E l ~ ON THEQUESTION OF R ~ C O G N I T I O N .AS YOU :HAVE NOTED, WE ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE T O T ~ ~ F O R T H ~COMING SUMMif OF THE OAU WHICH WILL CONVENE NEXT WEEK IN ETHIOPIAIN O R O E ~ TO ENDEAVOUR TO ~ V O ~ V E A F O R M U ~ ~ THAT ~ I ~ L ENO THE CONFLICT AND 6RlNG PEACE TO ANGOLA ALTHOUGH I WILL NOT ATTENDTHE SUMMIT IN PERSON OUE TO UHGENT MATTERS ASSOCIATED WITH MYINAUGURATION AND THE FORMATION OF MY N E ~ GOVERNMENT, I WILL,

N O N E T H ~ L E S S , ~ E REPRESENTED BY A HIGK LEVEL DELGATION HEADEDr,y T H ~ VIcE P ~ E S I O E N T OF L I ~ E R I A , THe H O N O U k A S ~ E JAMES fGREENE: .B A ~ I C A L L V , WE C O N t i i D E ~ l J U ~ T h ~ O LASTING PEACE IN A N G U L ~ TOBE B h S ~ D ON P R O P O S ~ t S TMlT WILL LE6U TO A N ~ G O T I ~ T E D P D L I T C ~ L- SOLUTION, AND WE SHALL CLEARLY ADVOCATE THI& APPROACH AT THEf O R T H C O ~ I N G O ~ U HtET NG:. A SOLUTION W"ICH WOULD S f E ~ TO A C ~ l E v E ,IN TflE FIHST INSTANCE, AN I ~ M f O I A T E CEASEF RE ~ ~ 0 AN fMC TO ALLHOSTI(ITtES BY ALL PARTIES CONCERhED IN TH CCNFLICTr A~ O M P L f T E ~ N U UNCONDlTIONJL W I T ~ ~ R ~ W A ~ Of ALL fOkElGN rUHCtS,

M I ~ I T A R ~ AND PARA-MIL TARV. INCLUDING ThE MASSIVE SUPPLY A R M S ~. THE cOMING T O ~ E H E R OF T H ~ REPREsENTATIVES OF THE t H R E ~ M D V E M ~ N T Sz : : : : B c e f l ~ T

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WICH WA ALSO GRACED BY TH PRE ENCi OF P R E 5 I D E ~ T MO UTU SE0 ' THE U B C OF ZA RE ANO PRESIDENT J AN B E O E ~ OKASSA OFC E ~ TRAt.. AF XCAN R PUBL;IC AFFORD 0 A U, %ClUE OPPORTUNITY TH TtlOUR COMMON CO MlTMENT TO T OBJECTlV OF UPHOLDING A N G O ~ N-NOENCE A ~ D TO O SCU S THE I 1 .IN NT TH ~ T TO AFRICANlTV AND 8ECU I ~ Y . .AS I XNOZCAT D N MY MORE RECE T TTER 1 WITH WHICH l ORwAROEOV UR INFORMATION, COPY OF A T A T E ~ E N T ON A ~ G O ~ MAOE Y THEERIAN GOVE N M E ~ T ON THE 13T XN ANT, NEW D E V E ~ O P M NTS I, THEtTUAT ON HAVE ONLY BUTT SS 0 THE C D ~ tTENCY OF LIBEklAWTM T OSE OF THE ORGANIZATION OF A RIC U iTY, IRECT0

T l N U l N G ~ Y TOWARDS PEACE, R E C O N C l ~ X A T l D N A ~ HE CDNSOLIOATIOh OFIN EPE D NCE. T IS IS WHY, "OLLO ING MAJDRJTY CISION OFOAU TO ECO N:tZE TH GOV 'RNME1 T' ' T e PE PL. '8 REPliBL:IC OfAND TO AOMI t f TO F U ~ L MEMBER IP, ~ I IA UECIOEO TD RECOGNXT 10 TO THAT GOVE ; H ~ E T. AND HSO WITH THE RVENr OPE ANO T U T TH T TH T ~ C T O U ~ U A58XSTOCCASIONlG AN EARLY T R INATION OF HOST LlTtE , N BRINGINGC01 C I ~ l T I O ~ A 0 N CU lNG AN .ING AND JU T SOLUTION TO THE Ol TRE SFUL CONFblCT . t ~ ~ t HAI.L NOT f A I ~ TO URG ~ H G O V f ~ N NT 0 THEt REPUBt.lC OF ANGOLA TO B AS M A G ~ A N X M O U IN VICTO Y AS . HEDECISIVE : Tl'tE STRUGGL.E, WE 6EC VE THAT TH P 0 5 ~ A N G O L . A ~ ERASOUT ERN A CA OFF RS SUCH CHAL.LENGE AND UPPORTUNITIE. AS MAYU GENT A N ~ VIGOROUS OIPI.OMA lC INITIATIVES OF OUNTR SA YOUR kWN, 8lNCE A ACEPUL ~ H A N G E ANO S T A B ~ E 0 ~ 0A E XMPO TANT O B J E ~ T VES ~ H ~ C I M CER AI WE HARE ZN COMMON,IT CAN ONLY 8 CONSIO R 0 R E A ~ I S T I C FOR ON TO PERCEIVE THATTHE L f G A . . ~ Z A T I O N AND L E G I T l M I Z ~ T l O N OF T . GoVERN e NT Of THRf UBLtC 0 A N G O ~ A BY THE A T OF COGNIT ON V THE OAUsHIP, THE CU AN fO C AND THE SOVI T I N T ~ R V E N T I O WHLCR W ~ R E, CTO XN THIS MPLA VICT Ry ARE NOT lKELY T W TMF AlGOia. t. DI A T E ~ Y T W O U ~ D 0 kY B RE ONA i.E FO US

R ~ ~ O G N l Z T AT THEY WILL REMAIN TO HELP C O N S O ~ l D A T TM MPLA lNMORE T H A ~ T H A T ~ lT IS REASOJA6LE TOe L EVE THAT TRE CUBANSRUSSIANS CO LO CHOOSE TC REMAIN IN SOUTHERN AFRICAN ANO C T X V ~ ~ VTHE O N ~ G O l N ~ T U G G ~ E TP L.IBERATE NAMIBIA, I 8A8. E, A. D PERHAPSAPA. THEI SOUTM AFRICA. ANO TH Y MAY N 0 U T BE ENCOU AGEOA U I EO AF ICA WHICH IS NOW 0 TERMINED A t W H O ~ L Y COMMITT D TORAT IT CQN IN ~ T A ~ H MEL NO .A SUCH, A 1E fl' VER OF INCANO SCENCE MAY ISE HIGH IN THETHEATER. X NEED NOT H NTION TH CLE. R THREAT UCH A Ll ELY PROSPECTNDT ONLY FO AFRICAN PEACE AN PROGRESS UT ALSO FOR I1 T E R ~PEACE Aro SECUR TY. FO. A F ~ CA WOU LD HfN FiND H E R S E ~ FTH SU STA .. X . 4 . ~ UP ORT ROM CUBA AND THE SOVIET u, ION ANDSOCI L.IST COUNTRl s, l1 A HEAO ..ON C O ~ L J : ON TH THE EMNANTCOL.ONIAI..ISfl XN TtiE SU REGION SPECIAL.LY T APARTHEID EIMESOUTH AF ICA

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MEMORANDUMTHE WHITE HOUSE 1598

G O ~ F I D E ~ l T I P d (GDS):?J/6/ril

MEMORANDUM FOR:FROM:SUBJECT:

WASHINGTON

ACTIONApri l 10, 1976

THE PRESIDENTBrent Scowcroft WSuggested Reply to a Let ter f romWill iam R. Tolbert , J r Presidentof Liber ia

Recently President Tolbert wrote to you concerning Liberia srecognition of the Government of the People s Republic of Angola(MPLA) and urging you to use your good offices to at tempt to aver tpotent ial violence in southern Africa (Tab B).I recommend that you acknowledge President Tolbert s le t ter andhave attached a suggested text (Tab A). n addition to thankingPresident Tolbert for his views, in your reply you assure him thatthe United States desi res a negotiated set t lement to the problemsconfronting southern Afric a, that you strongly support major i ty rulein Rhodesia, independence for Namibia and an end to apartheid inSouth Africa. You express your hope that these goals can beachieved by the process of peaceful change and that the UnitedStates will do what i t can to encourage that process You alsoexpress your concern over the threat posed to Africa by the Sovietand Cuban intervention there and your feeling that the problems ofsouthern Africa should be resolved by the Africansthemselves.Doug Smith of Robert Har tmann s office has cleared the text of theproposed reply.RECOMMENDATION:That you sign the le t ter to President Tolbert a t Tab A.


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MEMORANDUM~ l k. ol ~ 1 : 4 - I

t o ~ O

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

G O l > T F I D E ~ T T L \ . L {GDSJJ bjo


ACTIONMarch?7

BRENT SCOWCROFTHal Ho r a n 4 .President ial Correspondence: Suggested Replyto a Let ter f rom Will iam R. Tolber t , J r .President of Liber ia .

President Tolbert wrote the President on February 26 g1V1ng thereasons for Liberia s recognit ion of the Government of People sRepublic of Angola {MPLA), and expressing his concern over theproblems confronting southern Africa.I recommend that the President acknowledge this correspondenceand have attached a draft reply. Doug Smith of Robert Hartmann soffice has cleared the text of the proposed le t ter {Tab A).

RECOMMENDATION:That you forward to the President the memorandum a t Tab I.


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THE EXECUTIVE MANSIONOFFICE O F THE PRES IDENT

MoNROVIA L IBERIA

Mr. President:

February 26, 1976

Thank you for the kind sentiments expressed in yourmessage of early February, regarding the Liberian Govern-ment s views on the unfortunate Angolan situation. Iwelcome another opportunity to continue to share with youmy views on this problem, and express the hope that ourtwo countries, indeed a l l peace-loving nations, will continueto do the utmost in endeavouring to ensure that the blessingsof peace, self-determination and prosperity will be enjoyednot only by al l Africans, but by mankind ever.ywhere.

Liberia s position has long remained consistent withthat of the Organization of African Unity: That a jus t andlasting solution to the Angolan tragedy l ies n the immediatecessation of host i l i t ies and the ini t ia t ion of consultationsamong authentic representatives of the people leading to theformation of a Government of National Unity. And I havetherefore personally seized every opportunity to urge theleaders of the three contending factions to close ranks, forma united front, and not allow external detractors to deterthem from th is course.

As you already know in la te January I was the guest ofPresident Idi min Dada of the Republic of Uganda where Iparticipated in the Fif th Anniversary Celebrations of his

His Excellency Gerald R. FordPresident of the United States of America


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THE EXECUTIVE MANSIONO FFICE O F THE PRES IDENT

MoNROVIA L IBERIA

2

coming to power. The occasion which was also gracedby the presence of President Kobutu Sese Seko of theRepublic of Zaire and President Jean Bedel Bokassa ofthe Central African Republic afforded a unique oppor-tuni y both to reaffirm our common eommi tment to theobjective of upholding Angolan independence and todiscuss the :imminent threat to African solidari ty andsecurity

.b I indicated in J1J Y more recent le t ter with whichI forwarded for your inforaation copy of a statement onAngola made by the Liberian Government on the 13th instant ,new development in the Angolan situation have onlybuttressed the consistency of Liberia s views with those ofthe Organization of African Unity, directed continuinglytowards peace, reconciliation and the consolidation ofAngolan independence. This is why following majoritydecision of the O U to recognize the Government of thePeople s Republic of Angola and to admit i t to ful l member-ship, Liberia decided to extend recognition to that Govern-ment. nd she did so with the fervent hope and t rust thatthat act would assist in occasioning an early terminationof host i l i t ies in bringing genuine conciliation, and insecuring an enduring and just solution to the distressfulconflict .


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THE E XE C UT I VE M A N S I O NO FFICE OF T H E PRES IDENT

MoNROVIA L IBERIA

While we shall not fa i l to urge the Government of thePeople s Republic of Angola to be as magnanimous in victoryas she was decisive in the struggle, we believe that thepost-Angola era of Southern Africa offers such challengesand opportunities as may require the urgent and vigorousdiplomatic ini t iat ives of countries such as your own sincea peaceful change and a stable world order are importantobjectives which I am certain we share in common

I t can only be considered real is t ic for one to perceivethat with the legalization and legitimization of the Government of the P eople s Republic of Angola, by the acts ofrecognition by the O A U Membership the Cuban forces and theSoviet intervention which were decisive factors n thisMPLA victory are not l ikely to be withdrawn from Angolaimmediately. I t would only be reasonable for us to recognizethat they will remain to help consolidate the MPLA in power.More than that, i t is reasonable to believe that the Cubansand Russians could choose to remain in Southern Africa andactively aid the on-going struggle to liberate NamibiaZimbabwe and perhaps even apartheid South Africa. And theymay no doubt be encouraged by a united Africa which is nowdetermined and wholly committed to l iberate i t s continentalhomeland.


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THE EXECUTI VE MANSIONO FFICE O F THE PRESIDENT

MoNROVIA L IBERIA

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As such a new fever of incandescence ~ r ise highin the African theater.

I need not mention the clear threat such a l ikelyprospect holds not only for African peace and progressbut also for international peace and security. For Africawould then find herself with the substantial support fromCuba and the Soviet Union and other Social is t countries ina head-on coll is ion with the remnants of colonialism in thesub-region especially the apartheid regime of South A f r ~ c a

I would want you to understand that these thoughtsare coming from one who prefers to face real i t ies conscient iously and with consistency. As I aa committed and underobligation to do everything within power to assist inbringing peace and security to our one world manltind beingmy challenge I do not hesitate to communicate my concern tothose who are possessed with good-will and who in soaemanner have the power to influence the course of internationalevents.

n view of the fact that the channels of communicationbetween your Government and that of the Republic of SouthAfrica have fortunately remained open I wish to suggestMr. President that the cri t ical scenario which I haveattempted to describe herein could be seen as unique opportunity for countries such as your own to urgently undertake


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TH EXECUTIVE MANSION0PPJCB OF THE PRESIDENT

MoNROVIA, LIBERIA 5

diplomatic measures designed to persuade South Africa togrant im m ediate independence to l'amibia, and persuasivelyurge Mr Smith to make possible JU.jority rule n Zimbabwewithout further delay.

Such timely positive actions by Mr Vorster of SouthAfrica and Mr Smith of Zimbabwe would considerablystrengthen the hands of those A :frican leaders who shareviews similar to mine and aid in bringing success to appro-priate init iat ives designed to resolve the eris is inSouthern Africa without continuing bloodshed. hey wouldfurther, n JJ: opinion, contribute imaeasurably to peacefulchange on the A :frican continent, and could surely removethe serious threat which prospective conditions in SouthernAfrica pose to world peace and security.

With sentiments of highest esteem and consideration,

Sincerely,


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M r Smith:

THE WHITE HOUSEW SHINGTON

am re turning the original copy you sentm e on the President ia l reply to Liber ia sPresident Tolber t .Attached is a copy of the r emarks with myedit ing


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N TION L SECURITY COUNCIL

3/23/76

TO: Doug SmithMr. Har tmann s Office

FROM: Hal o r a n ~ m 301, OEOB x5022SUBJECT: Pres ident ia l Reply to Liberia s

Pres ident : ;Tolbert

For your clearance.

-1

.


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D"'z:, ITT3/.. . 1 76

Dear Mr. President:I am most grateful to you for the frank expression of your views

on the i ssues of major i ty rule and rac ia l justice in southern Africaexpressed in your let ter of February 26 and in your comments toour Charge

Africa. We strongly support major i ty rule in Rhodesia independencefor Namibia and an end to apartheid in South Africa. We remainhopeful that these goals can be achieved by the process of peaceful

change and we will continue to do what we can to encourage thatprocess . Our determination to be helpful is reflected in recentpublic statements that both I and Secre tary Kissinger have made

Uconcerning e U of Angola and of southern Africa should be settled by theAfricans thernselves and we have m.ade known our will ingness toaccept whatever agrecn1ents the Africans reach. We have nothing


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. 2against the MPLA per se in Angola a n d ~ i n f c ~ we quickly moved toestablish relations with another government of s imi la r ideology the

People ' s Republic ~ f Mozambique _after. i t achieved i n d e p ~ d ~ n c e[:::__ 1--R-.,. ~ < h ... v < ' ---v L.- '1


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Dc:ar l\1r. President :I am most grateful to you for the frank expression of your views

on the i s sues of majori ty rule and rac ia l jus t ice in southern Africaexpressed in your le t ter of February 26 and in y ~ u r commen t s toour Charge in l\.1onrovia.\ ~ l t ~

The United Stat ; ; t \sha- ;e t :: i:tllrt Jsilull'ia the san1e goals in southernAfrica. We strongly support major i ty rule in Rhodesia, independencefor Na1nibia, and an end to a p a r t h e i ~ i e t ~ i A AfPie . We remain

_\._ IYL /hopeful that these goals can be achieved ~ tiU. fPtuuu;; ef p e a c ~. . f e w ~ +\u.f - ~ ? J ~ a P S i i s and we will continue to do what we c n ~ 8Rt88tue:ge thai

pi1'88@88;, Our . ~ t : : ~ ~ i ; i Q R to be helpful is ref lected in recen tpublic s tatements that both I and Secre tary Kiss inger have madeusconcerning 'Cur su_:pport for major i ty ru le C l ~ t _ t : : ~ r r t t : : : ~ i g : h t s in

. : : : ~ ~ - L _ ; ; v - -southern. Africa. We will o encouragement to ~ r e g i m e s ~

t ; ,e will continue to express the view that rapid change is-required and that the opportunity for negotiated solutions n1ust be seized.At the smne t ime, we rernain deeply concerned over the threat

posed to Africa and to the world by the large numbe r of Cuban t roop: ,supported by Soviet anns and advisers in Angola. We bel ieve the/problen15 of Angola and of southern Africa should be set t led by theAfricans i lwmselves , and we have rn2..de known our wi l l ingness tQaccept whaic:ver agJ.ccn1ents the Africans reach. We ha vc nothing


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against the MPLA r e r s e in Angola and) in fact. we quickly rnovcd toestabl ish relat ions with another govermnent of s i ni lar ideology - - thePeople s Republ ic of 1v1ozarnbique - - af ter i t achieved i n d ~ p e n d e n c e

F ro m the experience of Angola we a re concerned tha t the Sovietsand Cubans may be mis led to bel ieve they have the r ight to impose LJ.ILgovernments in Africa o r elsewhere in the world. t is our coinmoriin teres t to dernonst ra te clear ly that we will not al low t h e m to decidewho will govern independent and sovereign countr ies .

I hope that we shal l continue to keep in close touch on thesemat te r s of rnutual concern so that I m a y have the benefi t of yourinsight and advice.

Sincerely,

His Excel lencyWilliar:n R. TolbertPres ident of Liber ia.tv1onrovia

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3/23/76

TO:

FROM:SUBJECT:

Doug SmithMr. Hartmann s OfficeHal o r a n ~ m 301, OEO B x5022Pres ident ia l Reply to Liberia s Pres ident Tolbert

or your clearance.


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\Df\/_.FT3/ 76

. Dear Mr. President :I am most grateful to you for the frank expression of your views

on the issues of majori ty rule and racia l jus t ice in southern Africaexpressed in your le t ter of February 26 and in your comments toour Charge in Monrovia.

The United States shares with Liber ia the same goals in southernAfrica. We strongly support majori ty rule in Rhodesia independencefor Namibia and an end to apartheid in South Africa. We remainhopeful that these goals can be ach ieved by the process of peaceful

change and we will continue to do what we can to encourage thatprocess. Our determination to be helpful is ref lected in recentpublic statements- that both I and Secre ta ry Kissinger have madeu s .concerning uur su_;pport for majori ty rule 2111tq ' " n . ' . t J : . ' : ? o i t : r : : ~ . . : g h t s in

, . , i M , /. t . . vjsouthern Africa. We will give no encouragement to i- lmgal regimes

and we will continue to express the view that rapid change isrequired and that the opportunity for negotiated solutions must be seized.

At the sa1ne t ime we remain deeply concerned over the threa tposed to Africa and to the world by the la rge numbers of Cuban t roops/supported by Soviet a rms and advisers in Angola. We believe theproblem:> of Angola and of southern Africa should be settled by theAfricans themselves and we have made known our willingness toaccept whatever agreements the Africans reach. We have nothing


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-2-

against the MPLA per se in Angola and in fact we quickly moved toestabl ish re la t ions with another government of s imi lar ideology the

People s Republic of Mozambique af ter i t achieved independence.From the exper ience of Angola we a re concerned that the Soviets

and Cubans may be misled to believe they have the r ight to imposegovernments in Africa o r e l sewhere in the world. t i s our commonin terest to demonst ra te clear ly that we will not allow them to decide

who will govern independent and sovereign countr ies .hope that we shall continue to keep in close touch on these

matters of mutual concern so that may have the benefi t of yourinsight and advice.

Sincerely,

His Excel lencyWilliam R. Tolber tPres iden t of LiberiaMonrovia

J

i


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S/S 7605663

DEP RTMENT OF ST TEWashington D.C. 20520

March 18 1976COWFIDElN fiAL

MEMORANDUM FOR MR. BRENT SCOWCROFTTHE WHITE HOUSE

Subjec t : Suggested P re s id e n t i a l Response toPres ident Tolber t o f L i be r i aThe a t t ached l e t t e r i s a suggested P re s id e n t i a lresponse to Pres iden t T o lb e r t s February 26 l e t t e r to

Pres i den t Ford (a l so a t tached) in which Tolber t discussedL i be r i a s r ecogn i t i on of the MPLA, and urged Pres i den t Fordto use h is good of f i ce to a t tempt to ave r t po t en t i a l v io -lence in southe rn Afr ica .

In add i t i on to thanking Tolber t for h i s views Pres i den tFord s l e t t e r assu res him t h a t the United Sta t e s st lldes i r e s a negot i a ted se t t l ement to t he problems c onf ron t ingsou the rn Afr ica and w i l l cons ide r peace fu l means o f i n c r e a s -ing pressu re on Rhodesia and South Afr ica in order to br ingt h i s se t t l emen t about .

Attachments :As s t a t ed

-GOWF Illli:W I I AI. GDS . .:J/b/{ 1{


29/85

SUGGESTED LETTER

Dear Mr. Pres iden t :I am most gr a t e f u l to you for the f rank express ion o f

your views in your l e t t e r o f February 26th and in yourcomments and those o f your Foreign Minis te r to our Charge inMonrovia. Coming a t a t ime when the h t l r s i ~ i s sues o fmajor i ty r u l e and r a c i a l j u s t i c e in southe rn Afr ica havebecome a focus o f worldwide a t t e n t ion , your views have beeno f pa r t i c u l a r value to me.

over. ..to t h e ~ e problems \\

in Rhodesiata tes ~ n t i n u s toindepende ce in NamibiaAfr ica .

Ascounci l South A f r ica st h a t t e r r i t o r y ,In te rna t iona l Cou o f J us t i c e u hold ing theCounci l dec is ion . e view South f r i c a s occupa t ioi l l e g a l and them to withdraw and permi t t eexe rc i se o f ina t ion under UN auspices by t he

. . . _ - - - - ~ ~ - - - ' ~ ' ~ ~ ~ - ~ ' f ' ~ ..... .... __ ... ...._ .. .. _.; ...... _ ..._

people o f Namibia.

His Excel lencyWill iam R. Tolber t , J r . ,Pres iden t o f the Republic o f Liber ia ,Monrovia.Department o f Sta te

he


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. ~ ~ 1 1 ~ - f L i:: a-..J. a-.;;.-.-/~ ' + - . , __ 5 ~ ~

. . _ _ t u ~ ~ ~ ArqA l >K4 r . _ V ~ ~I - . F T i i i i i ~ i Q T Q ' r ~ ' ~ - - k a a t - t f i e _ u _ i i i f e d . s t a t .dL Liber i :S

, 08Rioi"'"" l;s B.Jil k the same goals in southern Africa We - cont inue to be l ieve t ha t these goal s should be achieved bypeacefu l negot ia t ions and non-v io len t change r a t he r thanv io l e n t confron ta t ion .

We a l so remain deeply concerned, as we were in Angola,over t he t h r e a t posed to Afr ica and to t he world by thepresence of la rge numbers o f Cuban t roops suppor ted bySovie t arms and advisors in Afr ica . We be l ieve blt l 7 L theproblems of southern Afr ica should be se t t l ed by t he Afr icansthemselves and we have made known our wil l ingness to acceptwhatever agreements t he Afr icans reach . We have nothingaga ins t t he MPLA per se in Angola and in f a c t we quick lymoved to e s t a b l i s h r e l a t i ons with another government o fs imi l a r ideology - The Peoples Republ ic of Mozambique - soona f t e r it achieved independence. . . 1. _ ...l.A' /J _ 7 Tkc.. . ~ ~ r ~ TM ~ 5 / . 4 . , ? ( ~

a.. c o n c e r n ( ~ Sevie'l:: aBEi CHbaH. i : A u o l u W m ~ n ~ t o f the , . '~ ca--1 ~ S :ypQ uit:Rel ; led in l'mgel:-a. i s that filiey i*l i l 1 k IE t. ; ,1 . ' ~ - ~ ~5 ~ e a to be l ieve they have the r i gh t to impose governments in

Afr ica o r elsewhere in the world. t i s in our commoni n t e r e s t to demonstrate c l e a r ly t h a t we wi l l not allow_ ~ ~ ~ G - ~ : ~ \to decide who wi l l govern independent and sovereign cqun-t r i e s . iW--(. for our pa r t are prepared to cons ider ways that ' we- 'might give s u i t a b l e suppor t to the achievement of the goalswe share f o r [ m : ~ ~ u l e ~ s f l e s i o . , eN supenised- .

..- -;- .


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-- 3 -

:iffig r.ipendence in Namilsia and an eno Eo apar t t ie io in SUttLh :'>

I wish to assure you t ha t I view the presen t s i t ua t i onwith deep concern. In Rhodesia which i s the area o fgrea t e s t cu r ren t i n t e r e s t , the whi te minori ty regime perhapsfaces i t s l a s t oppor tun i ty to nego t ia te the t r ans i t i on tomajor i ty r u l e ~ hope t ha t we sha l l cont inue to keep inc lose touch as the s i t ua t i on develops so t ha t I may have thebene f i t of your i ns igh t s and your advice .

Sincere ly ,

Gerald R. Ford


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THE WHITE HOUSEWASHINGTON

Dear Mr. President :I am most grateful to you for the frank expression ofyour views on the i ssues of majori ty rule and racia ljustice in southern Africa expressed in your le t ter ofFebruary 26 and in your comm,ents to our Charge inMonrovia.The United States and Libe1ia share many of the samegoals in southern Africa. W e strongly support majori tyrule in Rhodesia, independence for Namibia, and anend to apartheid in Sou;h Africa. We remain hopefulthat these goals can be achieved by the process ofpeaceful change, and we will continue to do what wecan to e n c o u r a g i f

t process. Our determination tobe helpful is refle ted in recent public statements thatboth I and Secret ry Kissinger have made concerningUnited States su port for majori ty rule in southernAfr ica. We w give no encouragement to minori tyregimes. W will continue to express the view thatrapid chang is required and that the opportunity fornegotiated olutions must be seized.

e t ime, we remain deeply concerned overposed to Africa and to the world by theher of Cuban t roops, supported by Soviet

a rms nd advisers, in Angola. We believe the problemsof A gola and of southern Afr ica should be sett led bythe f r icans themselves, and we have made known ourwi ingness to accept whatever agreements the Africansr ach. We have nothing against the MPLA per se in

ngola and, in fact, we quickly moved to establish


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-2-

relat ions with another government of s imilar ideo- -the People s Republic of Mozambique after i t ~ i e v e dindependence.Events in Angola give us concern les t the viets andCubans be misled to believe they can, wiimpose their will in Africa or elsewher It is ourcommon in terest to demonstrate clear that we willnot allow them to decide who wzo ern independentand sovereign countr ies .I hope that we shall continue to eep in close touchon these matters of mutual co QCern so that I may havethe benefit of your insight n ~ { advice.Sincerely,

His Excelle cy

l

William R. Tolber t , J r .


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c

ORRESPONDEN E PROFILETQ PltES ~ ~

SCOWCROFT

PROM' SECRATSIICDF

DAVISHYLAND

STATE EXS :C -l :>


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7607815

DEPARTMENT OF STATEWashington D C 20520

Apri l 21 ,, 1976CliP IDEN I IAL

MEMORANDUM FOR MR BRENT SCOWCROFTTHE WHITE HOUSE

Subjec t : Sta te V i s i t I nv i t a t i on from Pres iden t

f7 lf

Gerald R. Ford t o P re s iden t Will iam R. Tolbe r t Jr.of L ibe r i a Ref NSC-1714, Apri l 13, 1976)

The Pres iden t has approved an i nv i t a t i on forPres ident Will iam R. Tolbe r t Jr. o f Libe r i a to makea Sta te Vis i t to the United Sta te s a t a mutual ly convenien t t ime dur ing the l a t t e r ha l f o f 1976. Attachedi s a sugges ted personal i nv i t a t i on from Pres ident Fordto Pres ident Tolber t .Secre ta ry Kissinger depar t s Apri l 23 on a t ou r o f

Afr ica which inc ludes a v i s i t t o L ibe r i a on Apri l 30.He would l i ke to de l ive r the i nv i t a t i on persona l lyto Pres ident Tolber t .

Attachment:

~ ~ W j _ ~L_ George S. Spr ings teenExecut ive Secre ta rySuggested l e t t e r from Pres ident Ford toPres iden t Tolber t

0NFI:DEWTIAI.GDS: Jjb/o


36/85

SUGGESTED LETTER

Dear Mr President :The celebrat ion of the United States bicentennial

anniversary is an occasion to give par t icula r at tent ionto the relat ionships which have special his tor ic importancefor the American people. Over 20 mill ion Americans t racethe i r or igin to the African continent and our re la t ionswith Liber ia date back over 150 years. I have thereforeasked Secretary Kissinger to convey to you my invi ta t ionto pa r t ic ipa te in our bicentennial celebrat ions by makinga s ta te v i s i t to th i s country a t a mutually convenientdate during the l a t t e r hal f of the year.

I hope you wil l be able to accept th is invi ta t ion,for I believe your v i s i t would permit us to demonstratethe importance Americans at tach to Africa as well asthe specia l place Liber ia occupies in our affect ions.I t also would allow you and me to discuss personal lythose issues affec t ing Africa and the United Stateswhich have been the subject of our correspondence sinceyour l a s t v i s i t to Washington. I look forward to seeingyou once again.

Sincerely

Gerald R FordHis ExcellencyWilliam R Tolber t J r . ,President of the Republic of Liber iaMonrovia.Department of Sta te


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N TION L SECURITY COUNCILWASHINGTON, D.C. 20506

VIA LDXNSC-1714

-GHNFIDENTU.LL GDS Apri l 13, 1976MEMORANDUM FOR:

SUBJECT:

Mr. George S. SpringsteenExecutive SecretaryDepartment of StateState Visit for Liber ian Pres ident TolbertS/S 7605235)

The President has approved an invitation for Pres ident Tolbertto make a State Visit a t a mutual ly convenient t ime to bedetermined. The Secretary may wish to convey the President 'sinvitation to Tolber t during his for thcoming visi t to Liberia. twill not be possible to provide a specif ic t ime frame for the visitbecause of the growing t ravel and schedule commitments for thePresident during the second half of the year . (For your planning,we would not expect that the visi t could take place in August, butmore l ikely to be considered in September or October, and wouldinclude an ar r ival ceremony, office meeting and dinner.) t shouldbe understood that the invitation should not commit the Pres iden tto a specific period other than a t a mutual ly convenient t ime duringthe second half of the year .

J e a ) n ~ n l a sS t : f ) J r l a r y

- 6 ~ H ~ P I D F O ; N T I A r GUS~ ~ J b o ~


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iII 0

. .~ . . . . - - - - - - - - - - T - 1 - t E - _l'l_H_I_T-E:._l_ O_U_S_E_S_IT_U_l\_T_I.:..O_N_R0_0_,-1 : .t . . Il f

SENT: RECEIVED I III 76 I I3 IA P ~ PN 5 0: 0 lf 1 OF STAT;

\ S I J ~ ~ ~ r 1 :., ,, .lj_3 i_ J . , J . ; o 0\ : I .1N WOfiI LOX NR1 PAGES:lII C . ~ DIA G______ 0ESCR l?TION/C0 1tlliNTII ; 1. i \1'8 DIA/H~ ; : . : ~ c ' ?..8i\SI ~ ~ ~ { 1 C C t 1.1? I C.:-I 00NS t BRDA ' ..-II f O ~ h : : f G ~ N N C : bAUtS

TO: C ~ . J { ( C f : 9 ~ ift/c.SrGer.~ l ~ v 7 r t l e S-CIC?;-lfi12.4. . ST/)-77?- . 0 ~ tIl

. '..


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- G O N F I D E ? ~ f I A L GDS)

MEETING:

DATE:

PURPOSE:

FORMAT:

CABINETPA.JR.TICIPATION:

SPEECHMATERIAL:

PRESSCOVERAGE:STAFF:RECOMMEND:OPPOSED:

G O N F I D E ~ ~ i I A L GDS)~ : > / 1 7 ( 0 ~

1714TH WHIT HOUS

W S H I N G T O N

SCHEDULE PROPOSALDATE: March 31, 1976 ~ J i JFROM: Brent S c o w c r o f t ~ < , VIA: Will iam Nicholson

State vis i t by Will iam R. Tolbert, J r .President of Liber iaAt a mutually convenient t ime in August orSeptember 1976To receive in the United States, during ourbicentennial year , the President of an Africannation with which we have special and long-enduring t ies.- Arr ival ceremony, Oval Office meeting

and black tie dinner- Oval Office participants - Pres ident Tolbert ,

Secre ta ry Kissinger , Brent Scowcroft andappropria te Liber ian officials

- Expected length of Oval Office meeting -60 minutes

Secre ta ry KissingerArr ival ceremony remarks talking points, andtoast to be provided.

Ful l press coverage. Meeting to be announced.Brent ScowcroftBrent ScowcroftNone


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-G ONFID:EN 'f'IAL GDS) - 2-

PREVIOUS Pres iden t Tolber t paid you an office cal l onPARTICIPATION: November 5, 1974.

BACKGROUND: Pres iden t Tolbert i the only African Head ofState to be proposec.. for a sta te visi t duringthe bicentennial year. He is recommendedbecause of the unique histor ic re la t ionshipbetween our two countr ies as well as for hispersonal quali t ies as a moderate Afr ican leader .Because our specia l relat ionship with Liberiais widely recognized, th is invitat ion would notneed to be balanced or offset by invitations toother Afr ican heads of state. Pres iden t Tolber tis a frequent vis i tor to the United States but ismost anxious that his next visi t here be a statevisi t

I bel ieve i t is impor tant for our overal l re la-t ions with Africa that this invitat ion be extended.I t would be welcomed by the Africans, as wellas by important segments of the Amer ican publicand Congress, as a sign of United States in te res tin Africa . The vis i t would also be beneficialto the maintenance of our close t ies with Liber iawhere we have important political, economic ands t rategic in terests

APPROVE DISAPPROVE


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MEMORANDUMNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL

-GOWi lDENTU L GDS)

3 b tflMEMORANDUM FOR:FROM:SUBJECT:

ACTIONMarch 24, 1976_/

//.~BRENT SCOWCROFTHal Horanl/kJRequest for State Visi t for Will iam R.Tolbert, J r . President of Liberia

1714

Subsequent to discussions I have had over the past couple of monthswith the African Bureau, the Department of State is now recommendingthat President Tolber t of Liberia be invited to pay a state visi t tothe United States during the bicentennial year (Tab B). For whatreasons I am not sure, no Afric.an heads of state have been includedon the global recommendation for 1976 state and official visi ts submitted by the Department. The Department of State believes, and Iconcur, that i t is important in our bicentennial year that a t least oneAfrican head of state be invited here for a state visit . PresidentTolbert i s a highly recommended candidate. We have longstandingand specia l t ies with Liberia, and a state visi t by him will be recognized by the Africans as an appropria te symbol of U.S. IAfricanrelat ions. In addit ion, a visi t would be in keeping with PresidentTolbert s expressed desire that his next visi t to the United States(he frequently comes here) be by formal invitation. A state visi twould also be beneficial to the maintenance of our c lose t ies withLiberia where we have important political, economic and s t rategicin terests .

RECOMMENDATION:That you forward to the President the Schedule Proposal at Tab Arecommending a state visi t for President Tolbert .

-'


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0NFI9Ii:N I IA:b-

7604651XR-7605235DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Washington, D.C. 2 52

March 22, 1976


Subjec t : Sta te V i s i t fo r P re s iden t Will iam R.Tolber t J r . - Liber ia

The Department o f Sta te sugges t s t ha t Pres iden tTolber t o f Libe r i a be i nv i t ed to pay a s t a t e v i s i tto the United Sta tes during the bicen tennia l year .Pres iden t Tolber t i s t he only Afr ican Head of Sta tethe Department w i l l propose for a s t a t e v i s i t duringthe b icen tenn ia l year . He has been se lec ted becauseo f the unique h i s to r i c r e l a t ionsh ip between t h i scount ry and Libe r ia , as wel l as for h i s personalq u a l i t i e s as a moderate Afr ican leader . Because ours pec i a l r e l a t i ons h i p with Libe r i a i s widely recognized,t h i s i n v i t a t i o n w i l l not need to be balanced o r o f f s e tby an i n v i t a t i o n to any o the r Afr ican head of s t a t e .

Liber ia was es tab l i shed as a haven fo r f reedAmerican s laves with the f inanc ia l and mate r ia lsuppor t o f the United Sta tes Government. ThroughoutL i b e r i a s ea r l y h i s to ry the United Sta tes Governmentexerc i sed ts good of f i c e s to pr o t ec t Liber ia aga ins tencroachment by fore ign powers . American pr i va t einves tment in Liber ia has been s ubs t an t i a l and nowt o t a l s almost ha l f a b i l l i o n do l l a r s . On a per cap i t abas i s our publ ic ass i s t ance to Liber ia has been thegre a t e s t on the Afr ican con t inen t .

Liber ian i n s t i t u t ions are copied from Americanmodels . Liber ians seek ing educat ion abroad usua l lya t t end American school s . The American do l l a r i s

CmlP IDEU :E IALD CLASSIPIII) GDSB.O. 12958 Sec. 3 S \ ~ D - - ~ -tt Dept. Oaideli . . f A v , e . . . , . f/tbjo3. , \v\ I W l A . ~

.:::

: { ; >


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CONFIDEili f IAL- 2 -

L i be r i a s currency . As t he i r cont r ibu t ion to ourspec ia l re la t ionsh ip , the Liber ians have permi t tedus to s i t e th ree s t r a t e g i c communications f a c i l i t i e sin t he i r country and they cons i s ten t ly have givenus t he i r diplomat ic support on i s sues impor tan t tous, e .g . Korea, Zionism and Angola. A conf i den t i a lagreement gives us mi l i t a ry access to the coun t r y spr inc ipa l a i rpo r t and harbor in the event ofna t iona l emergency.A Bapt i s t min i s t e r , Pres iden t Tolber t has beena vigorous proponent of peaceful change in Africa .

At some p o l i t i c a l r i sk he has endorsed publ i c ly theconcept o f dia logue wi th South Africa . n repea tedoccas ions he has helped nego t ia te d i spu te s betweenAfrican governments . He condemned Sovie t and Cubani n t e rven t ion in Angola. He corresponds f requent lywith Pres iden t Ford and met with the Pres iden t inNovember 1974 whi le in the United Sta tes to rece ivethe Family of Man Award for his humani tar ian a c t i v i t i e s .A sk i l l ed sta tesman, Tolber t has been able toboth r e t a i n a c lose assoc ia t ion with the UnitedSta tes and mainta in his c r eden t i a l s with in the Third

World community. A s t a t e v i s i t to the United Sta teswould enhance h i s s t a tu s i n Afr ica and reassure himo f American i n t e r e s t in Liber ia a t a moment whenAfrican moderates are worried by the MPLA s apparentv i c t o r y in Angola.The Department recommends t ha t Pres iden t Tolber tbe i nv i t ed to the United Sta tes on a s t a t e v i s i t andsuggests t ha t t h i s v i s i t t ake p lace sometime in August .

~ ~ e ~ e ~xecutive Secre ta ry.CONFIQEN IM.


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\ ~ N I T I A L ACTION 0ORRESPONDEN E P R O F ~ J i l i 7/ 0 /7 J

FROM' SECSTATE UtfCLAS LOG ~ N / O U TSCOWCROFT -..J>


45/85

THE WHITE HOUSEWASIIINGTON

April 22 1976

Dear Mr. President:The celebration of the United States BicentennialAnniversary this year will focus atte.ntion on rela-tionships which have special histor ic importancefor the American people. More than 20 millionAmericans t race their origin to the African conti-nent and our relat ions with Liber ia date back tothe early years of our Republic.

have asked Secretary Kissinger to convey to youpersonally my invitation to pay a State visit to thiscountry at a mutually convenient date during thelat ter half of our Bicentennial. hope you will beable to accept this invitation for believe yourvisi t would permit us to demonstrate the importanceAmericans attach to Africa and the special placeLiber ia occupies n our relat ions with other nations.It would also enable us to discuss personal ly thoseissues affecting Africa and the United States whichhave been the subject of our correspondence sinceyour last visit to Washington.Sincerely

~ His ExcellencyWilliam R. TolbertPresident of Liber iaMonrovia


46/85

..MEMQRANDUM

C O N F I D 8 > ~ T I A L GDS)tk a/ jo


2313THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

ACTIONApril 22, 1976

THE PRESIDENTBRENT SCOWCROFTState Visit of Liberia s President Tolbert

You have approved a state visi t for President Tolbert during ourbicentennial celebrations at a mutually convenient date in the la t terhalf of 1976. The Liberian Government has not been informed ofthis invitation, and in view of his pending visi t to Liberia duringhis African t r ip, t would be appropriate for Secretary Kissingerto extend this invitation on your behalf. The Department of Statehas recommended that the Secretary deliver to President Tolberta personal le t ter f rom you formally extending that invitation.I concur in this recommendation and have attached an appropriatesuggested le t ter . Doug Smith in Robert Hartmann s office hascleared the text of the le t ter .

RECOMMENDATION:That you sign the le t ter at Tab A to President Tolbert.

/ . . - ; : ; . , ~I \ t,.. - ~ .{ \

_


47/85

MEMORANDUMNATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 2313

--6GNFIDEP.iTIA:b GDS);} bJo


i -

ACTIONApril 20, 1976

cJ ' f 1/

.

BRENT SCOWCROFTHal Horan tfJJPresident ial Correspondence: Invitation toLiber ia s President Tolber t to Make aState Visi t in 1976.

Attached is a self-explanatory memo to the President forwarding forhis signature an invitation to Liber ian Pres ident Tolber t to make astate visi t to the United States during the la t ter par t of 1976. fsigned, Secretary Kissinger plans to deliver this le t ter to Pres identTolber t personal ly when he visi ts Liberia during his t r ip to Africa.I believe i t is appropriate for the President to extend this invitationand for Secre tary Kissinger to deliver it. A suggested let ter ofinvitation is attached t Tab A. Doug Smith in Robert Har tmann soffice has cleared the text of the letter .RECOMMENDATION:That you forward to the President the memorandum t Tab I


48/85


49/85

M E M O R ~ N U MTHE WHITE HOUSE 2313

WASHINGTON

CGI>Ili IDIC:WTY* (GDS)~ j} P}OJ \

ACTION

MEMORANDUM F \R THE PRESIDENTFROM: Brent ScowcroftSUBJECT: \ tate Visit of Liberia s President Tolbert

You have approved a sta visi t for President Tolbert during ourbicentennial celebrations a a mutually convenient date in the la t terhalf of 1976. The Liber ia Government has not been informed ofthis invitation, and in view of his pending visit to Liberia duringhis African tr ip, i t would b appropriate for Secretary Kissingerto extend this invitation on ur behalf. The Department of Statehas recommended that the Se re ta ry deliver to President Tolberta personal le t ter from youl that invitation.I concur in this r e o m m e n x ~ i o and h ~ e an appropriatesuggested le t ter . Doug Smith Robert Hartmann s office hascleared the text of the letter .RECOMMENDATION:That you sign the le t ter


50/85


4/20/76

TO:FROM:SUBJECT:

Doug SmithHal H o r a n , ~ 0 2 2 , OEOB 301President ia l Letter to Presidentof Liberia

or your clearance URGENT

a ~ ,.U.Lu.... cS. f.k/.p_::l;a..7e . , ~ e t ~ b i c J ~ ;k; Or > W

; . . ~ < - ..::;


51/85

l f /20/7l .:c ;o - ' ' ~ ' 1 .

SUGGESTED LETTER TOHis ExcellencyWilliam R. TolbertPres ident of Liber iaMonrovia

Dear Mr. President:The celebration of the United States Bicentennial Anniversary

1 lv: . p ~ ~ie aa e ~ g tr ~ r 4 ; . pa1 i c u b : ~ attention/\ m relationships which haveJVl y /t A/11\special historic importance for the American people. ..Ov8 'A 20 million

_y

Americans t race thei r origin to the African continent and our relationswith Liber ia date back to the early years of ~ ~ A m : : 1 I a n . republic .11 ~ S ' ~ ~I have asked Secretary Kissinger to convey to you m y invitation to

[Par t ic ipate in our Bicentennial c e l e b r a t i o ~ : y JHa:kitf;1a ~ t a t e visit1

to this country at a mutually convenient date during the lat ter halfawv . ; , ~ ,

of[fhe y e a ] I hope you will be able to accept this invitation, forI believe your visit would permit us to demonstrate the importanceAmericans attach to Africa ~ a s the special place Liber ia

r ~ ~ t z b - : - o /l..L.r ' ' ~ h ~ ' K A .occupies in our a : f : f e f d t i & a s . It would also ~ - b e . , * d z < m e to discusspersonally those i ssues affecting Africa and the United States which

have been the subject of our correspondence since your las t visit toWashington.

Sincerely,{GRF)


52/85

SUGGESTED LETTER TOHis ExcellencyWilliam R. TolbertPre: , ident of Liber iaMonrovia

Dear Mr. President :The celebrat ion of the United States Bicentennial Anniversary

is an occasion to give par t i cu la r attention to relat ionships which havespecial h is tor ic importance for the American people. Over 20 mill ionAmericans t r ace thei r origin to the Afr ican continent and our relat ionswith Liber ia date back to the ear ly years of the An lerican republic.I have asked Secre ta ry Kiss inger to convey to

~ ~ o i . J > : e t o ~ e n t e m r l ~ l e e e l > - r P i : l a . . , t ~ i ~ . . s . . . - 4 3 1 , to this ...c;;o :lnS;,r_ a t ,a mutually convenient

C5U..J ( at.t . VJx)I UM_ l oJ date during the l a t te r halfof year I hope you will be able to accept th is invitat ion, forI believe your vis i t would permi t us to demonstrate the i rnportanceAmericans at tach to Afr ica as ,.w,ell as the specia l place Liber ia

p . . . c c t . / ; . ,., t v ~ : ~ 1 {..1.- f{c. :;_, _occupies in our a { . f e . c t ~ r u 3 . t would also allow you and m e to discusspersonal ly those i ssues affecting Afr ica and the United States which

have been the subjec t of our correspondence since your las t visi t toWashington.

Sincerely,(GR:F )

;


53/85

TO PRESSCOWCROFt - - : : : ; t : = - ~ - - - -HYLANDDAVIS

INITIAL ACTION 0

FROM, SECSTATE UNCLAS LOG IN /OUTNO FORN NOD SEYES ONLY EX DIS

s CODEWORD.Ts SENSITIVE

SECDEFDCI REFS T A T E ~ ; ; ; ~ ;O T HE J S L

6MEMO FOR SCOWCROFT. 1 lMEMO FOR PRES. 1 1REPLY FOR ~ ~ 1APPROPRIATE ACTIONMEMO - - - - -TO - - - -- - -RECOMMENDATIONS.JOINT MEMO.

1 1

1 1

1 1

1 lREFER TO - - - -- -FOR --------------------------ANY ACTION NECESSARY?. 1---1---

IINCL UDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONSI

SPECIAL INDEXING 1

U.S . GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFF ICE - 5 9 9 0 2 ~ 1976


54/85

epartmentof State

n ? < ; t e ~ l A p ~ 751"1 , oA SY 111 n ' R0 V ATU S ~ C S T A T E WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9981

~ N F U A ~ ~ M ~ A S ~ Y KINSHASA IMMErylATEr; l I r ') T l l MONROVYA 29947F.xnrs

Faf l, 11b52: : 'OST A ; ~ s : -JVIt1 ( J ( I ~ S l N G E q l l H F N ~ Y A. , PFOR US

11 J c: I:; T: o t SI nPIT AL M S AG :

\ ., t :...j 4 V . J UST EC: E VF. D FR0 M F " r GI N AL. D Tu < NS E. N , G0 L ' MI MI TF R3T Tt ~ n R PRESIDEN TIAL AFFAIRS T ~ E F ~ L L O W I N G :

ofCAliSE. OF TH : IIRGENCV ANO I M P O R T 4 ~ C E OF THe: Aj TACHED MESSAGEA ~ T c ~ P ~ E S I O F N T TOLBERT IS S ~ N D I N G TO PRESIOFNT F POi J SHALLR;. 1 i ' ~ T G r < t ~ . T F f l l l IERE YOU TO 6F i(lND E.NOUGH TO COOPtRATE WITH US

.AY l l i ~ V I G IT t.:"6LEI') nFc- THqOIJGH YOIIH MISSlON 1 1S FAClLITlFS TO- ~ ~ S u R e HAT k ~ ~ C H ~ S ITS HIGH O E ~ T N A T I O N . UNQTE.\ u P ~ E ~ I O ~ N T T O L B E ~ T ~ ~ MESSAGF FOLLOWS:

P R F S l L ~ ~ T ~ E R A L D FORni r ~ t : ' Wr:ITF H i l ~ t :

NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOU11THE O R I~ - - . f , A ~ A _ _ 3 t > j r r t ~ TION OF THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY


55/85

epartmentof State AM

t O ~ L E O G E wiTW A P P R ~ C I T I O N YOUR VERY KINO MESSAGE IN WHICH1flJtl ' ~ l C A T f . r , T' it I i


56/85

epartmentof State

I. v r1 :, li.. C rP T u i\ N 't t 5 Tt F. M:;pJC E - 1=\..

~ ~ ~ S V S TRANSMIT1INr RY POuCH ABUVt. DOCUMENTS IN THF:. 1 : T ,\I AL.

: : r lFWli:;wTU.tL GDS)



June 9, 1976

THE PRESIDENTBRENT SCOWCROFT

2960ACTION

Suggested Response to Letters f romPresident Tolber t of Liberia

President Tolber t wrote to you on April 28 (Tab B) welcomingSecretary Kissinger s then prospective April 30 visit to Liberia, andagain on May 12 (Tab C) to express his pleasure a t that visit and hishope that the Secretary s pronouncements will resul t in concreteaction by the United States Government. In his second le t ter PresidentTolber t also informs you of the positive reactions of Liber ia s neighbors- ..Guinea s President Toure and Sierra Leone s President Stevens tothese pronouncements. Lastly, he expresses appreciation for yourinvitation to visi t the United States la ter this year .

I believe i t would be approtriate for you briefly to acknowledge thiscorrespondence f rom President Tolbert. Your proposed responseindicates that the Secre tary s statements in Africa reflect the increasedimportance we attach to our relations with that continent and that Tolber t 1sown views on these issues have been most useful to us. The le t ter alsoexpresses your pleasure that President Tolber t has accepted your invitation to visi t the United States. Doug Smith in Bob Hartmann s office hascleared the text of the proposed let ter.

RECOMMENDATIONThat you forward to President Tolber t the le t ter at Tab A.

- c o ~ i P I D B f i l I i L (GDS). 3 / b l o ~


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~ \ ~ , N 1 1ME0RANDUM o q n-

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL 2960

c ) Q ~ i F I : 9 : S ~ i T U L GDS)


ACTIONJune 4, 1976

BRENT SCOWCROFTHal Horan. atPresident ial Correspondence: SuggestedResponse to President Tolber t of Liberia

Attached is a self-explanatory memorandum to the President recommending he send a let ter to President Tolbert acknowledging recentcorrespondence from him on the Secretary s t r ip to Africa and thePresident s invitation to Tolber t to visi t the United States this year.

RECOMMENDATION:That you forward to the President the memorandum at Tab I.

G9:NFiDEt :FL\l:- GDS)~ .J/ ,/o"'

t C


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LIMITED OFFICIAL USECLASSIFICATIONS/S __ _ 6 _ 1 ~ 1 5 4 _ 9 _____________

DEPARTMENT OF STATEEXECUTIVE SECRETARIATTRANSMITTAL FORM

fo r : Mr. Brent ScowcroftNational Secur i ty CouncilThe White HouseREFERENCE:

Date June 4, 19 76

TO: The Pres iden t FROM: Pres ident W i l l i a m e Tolb9rt.DATE: May 12, 1976 SUBJECT: Secre ta ry Kiss inger st r i p to Liber ia

WHITE HOUSE REFERRAL DATE : SC l . _ f i . _ ~ . . . . . . O - ; : - . ; ; . : ~ : - = - -t-p_.:; __._OVt--=-=---( i f any)THE ATTACHED ITEM WAS SENT DIRECTLYX TO THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE from the Embassy, Monrovia

ACTION TAKEN:- - - A dra f t rep ly is at tached.A dra f t rep ly w i l l be forwarded.

A t r a ns l a t i on i s a t tached .- - - n informat ion copy o f a d i r e c t rep ly i s a t tached .- - - We be l ieve no response i s necessary for thereason c i t ed below.

X Other--=--REMARKS: ...A response was prepared by the Department and forwarded tothe White House on May 20 under a Memorandum for Mr. Brentnumbered 7610329. I t s corresponding NSC number i s 2960. Scowcroft

~ /), Y} I r . ft~ ~ r g ~ ~ ~ n~ ~ x e c u t i v e Se: re t a ry


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7610329.,;/7 ,

DEPARTMENT OF STATEWashington D.C. 2 52

May 20 1976CONi lDii:W i li:h:C -- EXDIS ATTACHMENT)


Subjec t : Suggested P re s id e n t i a l Response to Pres identTol be r t o f Liber ia

The a t t ached l e t t e r i s a suggested response byPres iden t Ford to Pres ident T ol be r t s l e t t e r s o f Apri l 28and May 12. The or i g i na l o f the Apr i l 28 l e t t e r and a copyo f the May 12 l e t t e r are a t tached .In h i s f i r s t l e t t e r Pres ident Tolber t welcomes theprospec t ive Apr i l 30 a r r i v a l o f Secre ta ry Kiss inge r inLibe r i a and the oppor tuni ty thus af forded for a cont inuingexchange of ideas on i s sues af fec t ing Afr ica and the world.The second l e t t e r records Pres ident T ol be r t s p l easu re int he S e c re t a ry s v i s i t and h i s hope t h a t the Sec re ta ry s

pronouncements w i l l r e s u l t in concre te ac t ion by the u.s.Government. t a lso repor t s the pos i t i ve r eac t ions o fL i b e r i a s neighbors--Guinea Pres ident Ahmed Sekou Toure andSie r ra Leone Pres i den t Siaka P. Stevens- - to these pronouncements and expresses Pres ident T ol be r t s apprec ia t ion for thei n v i t a t i o n from Pres i den t Ford to v i s i t the United Sta te s .In add i t ion to thanking Pres ident Tol be r t for h i s viewson Afr ican ques t i ons , the a t t ached d r a f t expresses Pres identF o r d s ~ n t e r e s t in cont inuing t he i r exchange dur ing T o lb e r t sv i s i t t o t he United Sta te s l a t e r t h i s year .

Attachments :As s t a t e d

t ) M t _ _ ~~ o r g S. Spr ings teenExecut ive Secre ta ry

CONFIDEN IALGDS ,;.~ :3/r jot f / > ~


67/85

Dear Mr President:Thank you very much for your l e t t e r s of April 28,

on the eve of Secretary Kiss inger s v i s i t to Liber ia ,and of May 12 discussing the outcome. The Secre tary s~ \pronouncements a t Lusaka, Nairobi during the UNCTAD meeting,

/1and of course in Monrovia al l . reFlec t ~ h J;_pcreased im- ..-.J. 1 \> e ? ~ ./'l.A.,c{t.j._, ''' ' c t ' ~ > i v q ~ . . j i i ~portance we a t tach to events in Africak Your views ex-

pressed in previous l e t t e r s on i ssues affect ing Africa ,par t icular ly southern Africa , have been most useful inshaping our approach to these problems, and I want tothank you for sharing them with me

Secretary Kissinger has returned to the UnitedSta tes and I have reviewed with him the resul t s of hist r i p ~ f r i Q a including his meetings with you and ForeignMinister Dennis. I am del ighted tha t you have acceptedmy invi ta t ion to v i s i t the United States and look forwardto welcoming you here again l a te r th i s year, when we cancontinue our useful exchange on issues of importance toour two governments.

Sincerely,

Gerald R FordHis ExcellencyWilliam R Tolbert , J r .President of the Republic of Liber ia ,Monrovia.Department of Sta te


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TH E WHITE HOUSEWASHINGTON

TO:FROM:

DOUG SMITHHAL H O R A J ~ 301, x S ZZ

SUBJECT: Presidentia l Letter to Liber ia sPres ident Tolbert

or your clearance.

rl \- \ ~ ' '


69/85

/Dear Mr. Pres iden t : / : ~ -Thank you srezy m e ~ for your l e t t e r s of Apri l 28on the eve of Secre ta ry K i s s i nge r s v i s i t to Liber i a ,and o f May 12 discuss ing the outcome. The S e c re t a ry s~pronouncements a t Lusaka Nairobi during the UNCTAD meeting.1and of course in Monrovia a l l r e f l e c t the inc reased im-

L...--J. -{. c r ~ .rv_...f. . . , : . ~ . - . . . . . t t ~ - / Cl lke (,. Iportance we a t t ach to events in Africa:. Your views ex-t--pressed in previous l e t t e r s on i s sues a f f e c t i ng Afr ica ,pa r t i c u l a r l y southern Afr ica , have been most use fu l inshaping our approach to these problems and I want tothank you for shar ing them with me.

~ ~ Secre ta ry K i s s i n g e ; ~ r e t u r n ~ to the UnitedSta tes , ~ . I\ reviewed with him the r e su l t s of hi st r i p ~ inc lud ing his meetings with you and ForeignMinis te r Dennis. I am de l igh ted t ha t you have acceptedmy i nv i t a t ion to v i s i t the United Sta tes and look forwardto welcoming you here aga in l a t e r t h i s year , when we cancont inue our usefu l exchange on i s sues of importance toour two governments .

His

Sincere ly ,

Gerald R. FordExcel lencyWill iam R Tolber t , J r . ,Pres iden t o f the Republ ic ofMonrovia.

Department of Sta te


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T H E E X E C U T I V E M N S I O NOFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

MoNROVIA, L I B E R I

Dear Mr. President:May 12, 1976

As Secretary Kissinger has l r e ~ no doubtreported to you, we were delighted by his vis i tto Liberia and the opportunity which his brief s t ~in MoD.rovia afforded for us to e:x:cha:rage views withhim on matters of mutual interest between tradit ionalfriends. I am happy to say that the unique characterof the relationship between the United States andLiberia was reflected throughout our discussions.

e want to take this occasion to commend you forthe timeliness of Secretary Kissinger s vis i t toAfrica to espouse your new African policy which appearsto us to be more harmonious with the aspirations of theAfrican peoples. e are now al l looking forward to see-ing the pronouncements so well made b y Secretary Kissingeron your behalf nd that of your Government reflected inpositive and concrete action.

I indicated to Secretary Kissinger during his vis i tto Monrovia that I would be communicating with myColleagues in countries neighbouring Liberia to briefthem on the discussions we had held espeeiall7 as the.rconcer.aed problems of Souther.a Africa and the questionof economic development of the continent. As Secretar.1Kissinger was to be meeting with President HouphouetBoigny of the Republic of the Ivory Coast in Paris, I


71/85

T H E E X E C U T I V E M N S I O NOFFICE O F THE PRESIDENT

M o N R O V I A L I B E R I

2

sent my Foreign ~ n i s t r with special messages to myColleagues President A hmed Sekou Toure of theRepublic of Guinea and President Biaka Stevens of theRepublic of Sierra Leone. I am pleased to inform youof the positive reactions of these two African Leadersto what apparently i s a new American willingness tocooperate with Africa as she endeavours to make greaterstrides in the attainment of her legitimate poli t icaland economic aspirations. n this l ight I am enclosingherewith copy of a le t te r I have written to Secretar yKissinger which I hope you will find informative.

FiD.ally allow me to express to you r deepestappreciation for the kind invitation you extended methrough Secretar y Kissinger to ~ a State Visit tothe United States during the second half of this year.I look forward to seeing you then and to continue thever y useful exchanges which we commenced during ourf i r s t meeting in Washington in November 1974.

With sentiments of highest consideration and esteemSincerely


72/85

T H E EXECUTI VE MAN S I ONOFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

MoNROVIA LIBERIA

Dear Secretary Kissinger:Hay 12 1976

Let me take this occasion to again express to70u how pleased we were to have you with us in Liberiaduring your recent vis i t to Africa. Although your staywith us was brief i t did afford the opportunity for anexchange of views with you as your Government evolves anew policy toward Africa which seems to be much morein harmony with the poli t ical and economic aspirationsof the peoples of this Continent. You told us duringyour vis i t that the pronouncements you have been makingwere the beginning of a process and not an end in i tse lf .As we indicated to you and have confirmed in our earliermessage to President Ford we are always pleased to offersuch advice and counsel as the circumstances may reguire.

During our meeting in Monrovia I informed you thatsince my incumbency as President of Liberia haveendeavoured to keep my Colleagues in countries neigh-bouring Liberia informed of important events which occurin Liberia from time to time. Because of the significanceof your vis i t I indicated that I would be briefingPresident S8ktMl Toure of the Republic of Guillea andPresident Siaka Stevens of the Republic of Sierra Leoneon the highlights of our discussions especiall7 as theyaffected Southern Africa and economic development forthis continent. H y Minister of Foreign Affairs who was

is Excellency Henry A. Ki.ssi.Dger


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T H E EXECUTIVE M N S I O NOFFICE O F THE PRESIDENT

MONROVIA, LIBERI2

the bearer of special messages to these two Heads ofState has returned to me and reported the ver y positivereactions of both President Toure and President Stevenswith regard to the new and promising direction whichUnited States foreign policy toward Africa seems to betaking. Both of them made particular reference to yourpronouncements in Lusaka and Monrovia and commended youfor them. I t rust that you found your talks in Pariswith President Houphouet-Boigny of the Republic of theIvory Coast most rewarding.

President Sekou Toure has shared with me his viewson your vis i t to Africa, and has offered an advicewhich you may want to take into consideration as youmove toward implementation of the ver y forthright pro-nouncements you made during your visi t to Africa. Iquote hereunder relevant portions of his le t te r to meon the question:

We have followed through radio the tour of theAmerican Secretary of State, Mr Kissinger, wehave registered his Lusaka Declaration as a neworientation of the United States African policy.

e have been very much impressed by i t because,l ike you, we D.oted that a very great country l ikethe United States of America was wrong or nothaving clearl7 enough indicated the orientationof their policy n Africa. Until now the UnitedStates of America appeared as the policeman ofEurope which colonized us and as being alwaysready to bring their contribution to this Europe,


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T H E E x E C U T I V E M N S I O NOFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

M ONROVIA LIBERI

3against the legitimate interest of our peoples.ow that the ~ t e d States of America are

defining a clear posit ion favourable to theacceleration of the decolonization movement inAfrica we feel that they are thereby creatinga new context which will cause the r ise and growthof the confidence and esteem of our peoples forthem This fact will create in history a newsi tuat ion beneficiary both to the people of theUnited States of America themselves and the Africanpeoples as well.

e entertain the hope that beyond the speechessince intentions do not make history but actionsinstead we entertain the hope we say that theUnited States of America will pass to concreteactions and these actions will be in favour of Africaand to the honour of the American Government andpeople. The sincere and strong support of theUnited States of America for the struggle of Africato throw off the yoke of al l foreign dominationcould create a solid basis for cooperation betweenAmerica and Africa as a whole. One should notdelude himself on the division of Africa because i fAfrica i s ideologically racially and religiouslydivided i t remains however very much united onthe watch word of national independence which regainsthe dignity of the Continent as a whole and thaton this point no division i s possible even thoughsome isolated individuals could be demented enoughto adopt an att i tude contrar r to this real i ty .

dear Brother President here we think that i ti s our u ~ to suggest to you a few words of advicewhich you could give to the American authorities:henceforth not to consider the African problems


75/85

T H E EXECUTIVE MANSIONOFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

MONROVIA, LIBERIA

4partisans of apartheid. The United States ofAmerica must consider the African problems asproblems specific to the African peoples and nyjust stand, concerning Africa, must respect theunanimous will of our peoples and their aspirations for freedom and self-determination on theirsoil . ne may not share the ideology practicedby a regime, but this cannot be a just pretext tobe opposed to the freedom of the people concerned.

When the American press, in assessing the eventsof Angola, announced that rrthe United States ofAmerica have been surprised, but will not standidly by, with regards to Namibia and Rhodesiasuch a statement, or such a policy could only offendthe conscience of the Africans and all ienate themfrom the United States of America

e have said that for the sake of freedom, Africawelcomes ny assistance, because i t has severelyexperienced slavery, for many centuries. I t s onlyglimmer of hope is n i t s freedom. I t i s thereforeup to the foreign countries to define themselveseither for or against African freedom.

The right of peoples to national independence,sovereignty, full and complete freedom, the r ightof peoples to dispose of themselves, the r ight ofpeoples to the free choice of their regime i s anindefeasible right, an unconditional r ight . Nothingnor aQ power can l imit i t Nothing nor any powercan venture to postpone i t s actualization. I t i snot a r ight which can be satisfied with being simplyenunciated without undertaking what mnst achieve i tI t i s not an abstract right, a potential r ight .I t i s a concrete right, the achievement of whichcannot legitimately suffer a T d e l ~ The violation


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T H E E X E C U T I V E M A N S I O NOFFICE OF T H E PRESIDENT

MONROVIA, L I B E R I A

5of th is right i s a crime against humanity as awhole. ny indifference towards th is right i sa culpable behaviour.

The struggle among the great powers i s astrategic subject which i s of in teres t to them.The importance and legitimacy of th is struggleare lesser compared with the importance and legi-timacy of the l iberat ion struggle of a people,however small that people can be.

Thus, i f the United States of America acceleratedecolonization, Africa will not ut i l ize arms norask other assistance to achieve i t s necessary andto ta l l ibera t ion. And we feel , as for us, thatt would be a poli t ical and moral duty for such

a great power as the United States of America toass is t through deeds to the realization of th isl iberation.

The speeches made in Lusaka and Monrovia bythe American Secretary of State confirmed in usthe impression that a new era i s being opened forAmerican policy in Africa. Facts will show whetherour impression i s well founded.You ~ res t assured that I shall continue tout i l ize my finest energies in any manner I can to be

helpfUl in inspiring greater confidence in the in teres tof world peace and security and the relationship betweenthe United States of America and Africa.

With kindest regards and best wishes,Sincerely,

Sgd. W R Tolbert, Jr .


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THE EXECUTIVE MA N S I O NMINISTRY OF STATE FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS

MONROVI A LIBERI

MONROVIA

PRESIDENT GER LD FORDTHE WHITE HOUSEW SHINGTON DCUS

TELEGR M PRIL 28 976

DE R MR PRESIDENT I ACKNOWLEDGE WITH PPRECI TION YOURVERY KIND MESS GE IN WHICH YOU INDIC TED THE IMPOR-T NCE WHICH YOU TT CH TO SECRET RY KISSINGERS VISITTO LIBERI AND TO FRIC STOP NOT ONLY IX IWELCOME THIS MOST TIMELY VISIT WHICH OFFERS YOURGOVERNMENT A FRESH OPPORTUNITY TO SSESS T A HIGHLEVEL THE UNFOLDING CRISIS IN SOUTHERN FRIC CMABUT I AM LOOKING FORWARD WITH SOME NTICIP TION FORTHE POSSIBILITIES IT WILL FFORD OUR TWO COUNTRIESTO ADD NEWER DIMENSIONS TO A REL TIONSHIP UNIQUE INTHE ANNALS OF MERIC N FRIC N COLL BOR TION STOP IAM IMMENSELY HE RTENED TO LE RN OF THE RENEWED DIS-POSITION OF YOUR COUNTRY TO STRENGTHEN ITS REL TIONSHIPWITH FRIC T THIS CRUCI L ST GE OF THE STRUGGLE TOELIMIN TE COLONI LISM CMA R CI LISM AND OTHER FORMSOF INJUSTICES AND INDIGNITIES FROM THE FRIC N CONTINENTSTOP FOR I HAVE REM INED CONVINCED TH T IN A CRISISSITU TION OF GLOB L PROPORTIONS SUCH S WE NOW HAVEEVOLVING IN SOUTHERN FRIC CMA THERE IS A ROLE TH TCAN CONSTRUCTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO AN ENDURING SOLUTION


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THE EXECUTIVE M N SI O NMINISTRY OF ST TE FOR PRESIDENTI L FF IRS

MoNROVIA L IBERIA

WHICH HISTORY HAS IMPOSED ON THE UNITED STATES STOPTHIS IS WHY FOLLOWING THE RECENT EVENTS IN ANGOLACMA I WROTE TO YOU IN A SIMILAR VEIN AND ALSOCALLED UPON OTHER WESTERN Im IOCRACIES TO ACT DECI-SIVELY TO AVERT A CRISIS SO THAT MAJORITY RULEAND RACIAL JUSTICE MAY COME TO THE REGION OF SOUTHERNAFRICA STOP THAT SECRETARY KISSINGERS VISIT CAN ALSOSERVE AS AN OPPORTUNITY OF FURTHERING THE EXCHANGESWHICH WE INITIATED IN WASHINGTON ON OUR BILATERALRELATIONS CMA I FULLY WELCO:ME STOP AND I DO SO THEMORE AT A TIME WHEN .AI1ERICA CELEBRATES TWO HUNDREDYEARS OF EXEMPLARY DniOCRACY AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONTRI-BUTIONS TO INTERNATIONAL PEACE CMA SECURITY ANDPROGRESS CMA AND LIBERIA CMA WHICH SHARES HISTORICALAFFINITY WITH .AI1ERICA CMA IS PREOCCUPIED WITH A

SUSTAINED AND DEDICA TED EFFORT TO BRING SPEEDY ANDMEANINGFUL DEVELOPMENT TO ALL OF ITS CITIZENS STOPTHE INGREDIENTS SEEM TRULY ASSEMBLED FOR ADDING NEWERDIMENSIONS TO OUR HISTORIC SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP STOPI FOLLY SHARE YOUR HOPE CMA MR PRESIDENT CMA THATSECRETARY KISSINGERS TRIP WILL GENERATE MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND


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THE EXECUTIVE M N SI O NMINISTRY OF ST TE FOR PRESIDENTI L FF IRS

MoNROVIA L IBER IA

AFRICAN PEOPLES AT THIS MOMENT WHEN AFRICAN NATIONSABE MOVING COMMITTEDLY TO ACHIEVE FOR ALL OF THEPOEPLES OF THE CONTINENT THAT POLITIC L LIBERTY ANDECONOMIC WELLBEING WITH WHICH THE AMERICAN PEOPLEARE OW SO F MILI R STOP WITH SENTIENTS OF HIGHESTCONSIDERATION ND ESTEEM SDiCERELY

WR TOLBERT JR

FOR SENDER:


80/85

. Rety:pe:BS:m fi 6/8/76


THE PRESIDENTBRENT SCOWCROFT

2960ACTION

Suggested Response to Letters f romPresident Tolbert of Liberia

President Tolbert wrote to you on April 28 (Tab B) w l o m i n ~Secr-etary Kissinger s then prospective April 30 visit to Liberia, andagain on May 12 (Tab C) to express his pleasure at that visit and hishope that the Secretary s pronouncements witt result n concreteaction by the United States Government. In his second letter PresidentTolbert al lo informs you of the positive reactions of Liberia s neighbors-Guinea s President Toure and Sierra Leone President Stevens-- tothese pronouncements. Lastly, he expresses appreciation for yourinvitation to visit the United States la ter this yeae.I believe it would be approt:riate for you briefly to acknowledge thiscorrespondence from President Tolbert. Your proposed responseindicates that the Secretary s statements in Africa retleet the increasedimportance we attach to our relations with that continent and that Tolbert sown views on these issues have been most useful to us. The let ter alsoexpresses your pleasure that President Tolbert has accepted your invitation to visit the United States. Doug Smith in Bob Hartmann s office hascleared the text of the proposed letter.

RECOMMENDATIONThat you forward to President Tolbert the letter t Tab A.

c c ~ N F I D E ~ I ; I I A I ; r (GDS)k 2> b ll

'


81/85

.-

Dear Mr. Presid nt:Thank you for your 1 tte of April Z8 on th eve ofSecretary Kiasln era vieit to Llberla, aDd of ay 12diacuaaing the outcome of hla viait. The Sec:retaryt aatatementa at Luaka , Dakar, Nairobi during theUNCTAD m.eetln and of coura in Monrovia allrenect the importance we attach to vents in Africa

nd to OUJ relatione with Africa. Your viewa expreandin prevloua letter on iaauea affecting Africa, particu-larly aouthern Africa, have been moet uaeful n ahaplnour approach to theae problema, anc I want to thankyou for aharin them with me.Upon Secretary Klaln er a return to the United StateaI reviewed \llrlth him the reaulta of hia trip, includlnlhia meettn a with you and J orei n Miniater Dennla.I am deU bted that you have accepted my invitationto vialt the United tatea and look forward to welcomlnyou here a atn, when we can continue our uaefulexchante on laauea of importance to our two overnmenta.Sincerely,

Hia ExcellencyWilUam Tolbert, Jr .P:r aldent of the epublic of Lib riaMonroviaBS:mb 6/8/76


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Dear Mr. President:Thank you for your lettr0r f Apri l 28, on the eve ofSecre tary Kiss inger s vi i t to Liber ia , ~ d of May 12discussing the outcome The Secretar r s p r g a e ~ n c e - HteD.ta at Lusaka, Dakar, Nairobi durj,ilg the UNCTADmeeting, and of course in Monrovia ~ 1 1 ref lect the i Dcrcaecfi importance we attach to evfnts in Africa andto our relat ions with Africa. Your views expressedin previous le t ters on i ssues a f f ~ . C t i n g Africa, part icular ly southern Afr ica, have b ~ e n most useful inshaping our approach to these problems, and I wantto thank you for sharing them with me.Upon Secretary Kissinger 1s . /return to the United StatesI reviewed with him the r.esults of his t r ip , includinghis meetings with you and Foreign Minister Dennis.I am delighted that you 1have accepted my invitationto visi t the United S t a ~ e s and look forward to welcomingyou here a g a i n ~ l ateP his year, when we can continueour useful exchange /on i ssues of importance to our twogovernments.Sincerely, /I

,/

H..w ExcellencyAVilliam R. Tolbert , J r .President of the Republic of LiberiaMonrovia


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.MEMo.RANDUMCO}TFIDEN'FIAL ( GDS)



ACTION

THE PRESIDENTBrent Scowcroft

2960

Suggested Respdnse to Let ters fromPresident Tolbert of Liberia

President Tolbert wrote to you on AprU 28 (Tab B) welcoming Secre-tary Kissinger 's then prospective Apri l 30 visit to Liberia , and againon May 12 (Tab C) to express his pleasure at that visi t and his hopethat the Secretary 's pronouncements/ 'will resul t in concrete action bythe United States Government. In ,his second let ter President Tolbertalso informs you of the positive ,reactions of Liberia 's neighbors -Guinea's President Toure and S ~ e r r a Leone's President Stevensto these pronouncements. L a ~ t l y he expresses appreciat ion for yourinvitation to visit the United $tates la ter this year.

II believe i t would be a ~ r ~ ~ ' ( you b ~ to acknowledge thiscorrespondence from P e,s'ident Tolbert . a El I b.ave attached a aggested tent The 1 * ' e ~ / indicates that the Secretary 's statements inAfrica reflect the incrt:t ,sed importance we attach to our relat ions

~ i t h that continent a n f 1: Elieates that Tolbert 's own v i ~ ~ t ~ 1 ~ e1ssues have been mo1Jjjt useful to us. The let ter also J o ~ your ~ t . ~el:igR:t tha t Presidept Tolbert has accepted your invitation to visi tthe United States. /Doug Smith in Bob Hartmann's office has clearedthe text of the p;riposed letter .

r

RECOMMENr TION:That youy . w a r d to President Tolbert the let ter at Tab A.

c C O ~ T P i : b l R N T U L (GDS)~ 46 bll


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CORRlSPcaiDENCE PROFILE

SECDEFDCI

COOR-DINATERECCY

FOR

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ACTION REQUIRED

l o i E M O F O ~ F TloiEioiO FO PRES . . . .

sTS

PJ

LO IN /OUTNO. FORN NODISEYES ONLY EXDICODEWORD

~REPLY FOR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -1APPROPRIATE ACTION . 1 1MEioiO T 1 1RECOiolloiENDATIONS . 1---JOINT MEioiO. f lREFERT FORo --------------- -1ANY ACTION NECESSARY?.CONCURRENCE .

INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONSlran just a reminder that yourP status w/ the Pres and has10

f l

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.U .S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE - 599,022 - 1976 NSC ?15-21)588 22 .


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T H E EXECUTIVE MANSION)ync:e; OF T HE PRE SIDE NT

M o N R O V IA l. IB E R IA

Dear Mr. President:

Jf tjesSoo :;fi j,.,.J

President Tolberts 1976 State Visit to the United States

Documents

Transcript of President Tolberts 1976 State Visit to the United States