Foreign Relations, 1969-1976, Volume E-5, Documents on Africa, 1969-1972
Released by the Office of the Historian

Department of State
TELEGRAM

ACTION: Amembassy ADDIS ABABA

INFO: JCS
USCINCEUR
[text not declassified]
COMIDEASTFOR
CINCUSNAVEUR
Amconsul ASMARA
CNO
CSA
CSAF
CMC

STATE

JOINT STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE

SUBJECT: Kagnew Station (Ethiopia) Reduction

REF: (a) State 983 (NOTAL)
 (b) Addis 260 (NOTAL)

1. Final decision made that [text not declassified] Kagnew will be closed by 30 June 1972 with phased implementation to begin as soon as IEG informed. Revised planning figures call for reduction of 565 military, 17 US civilian and 39 local hire personnel. As stated ref (a) Army will continue operate base support activities until FY 74 when it is planned Navy will assume entire mission and base support responsibilities [text declassified].

2. You are authorized, consequently, to proceed inform IEG along lines scenario outlined in ref (b). If question on future level of military assistance posed as contemplated para 14(e), you may say that Ethiopia will continue to receive the largest share of grant security assistance funds in Africa but that the specific level will depend on Congressional appropriations.

3. If queried, we intend respond that cutback in personnel at Kagnew is in keeping with our policy of effecting economies as conditions and technology permit whenever and wherever possible.

4. You should notify Washington and all addressees when IEG has been informed so reduction plans may, as appropriate, be carried out on unclassified basis. Details of reduction and any reference to [text not declassified] should, of course, be tightly held.

END

IRWIN

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