Russian
& East German Documents on Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, 1977-78
Memorandum
of Conversation between Soviet Ambassador in Ethiopia A.P. Ratanov and Cuban
Ambassador in Ethiopia Jose Peres Novoa, 10 February 1977
TOP
SECRET, Copy No. 2
From
the diary of RATANOV, A.P. "30" March 1977 Issue No.
129
RECORD
OF CONVERSATION With the Ambassador of Cuba in Ethiopia JOSE PERES NOVOA,
10 February 1977
During a conversation which took place in the Soviet
Embassy, Jose Peres Novoa reported that on 8 February he had visited Mengistu
Haile Mariam at the latter's request.
Mengistu requested that the Ambassador pass on
to Fidel Castro a verbal message in which the PMAC requests Cuba to provide
assistance to the Ethiopian People's Militia via deliveries of small arms.
In this regard Mengistu declared that the Americans had already refused to
provide spare parts for tanks, [and] had suspended deliveries of spare parts
for all kinds of weapons, and that the PMAC expects the USA, after the events
of 3 February to apply even harsher sanctions against Ethiopia. At the same
time the USA is providing military assistance to Sudan, [and] Kenya, and is
encouraging officials of the these and other countries to act against the
Ethiopian regime.
The PMAC, reported Mengistu, intends to follow
Cuba's example of creating in factories and agencies, and in villages, committees
for defense of the revolution, which will act in close contact with detachments
of the people's militia, which are formed under the supervision of urban and
rural associations. However, the effectiveness of these measures will
depend on whether the PMAC has available and at its disposal the necessary
quantity of weapons.
USSR
AMBASSADOR IN ETHIOPIA
/s/
A. RATANOV
[Source:
TsKhSD, f. 5, op. 73, d. 1637, l. 85; translated by Mark H. Doctoroff.]
