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1672853
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Second Debate, 10/6/76: Issues - Africa & Middle East
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1672853
contentType
document
title
Second Debate, 10/6/76: Issues - Africa & Middle East
collections
Michael Raoul-Duval Papers
Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter Debates Files
subjects
Angola
Africa
Debates and debating
Middle East conflicts
Presidential campaign, 1976
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1672853
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1976-10-31
month
10
year
1976
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1976-10-01
month
10
year
1976
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nara-archive
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1
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27be73cd87d51eaa
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The original documents are located in Box 27, folder "Second Debate, 10/6/76: Issues - Africa & Middle East" of the Michael Raoul-Duval Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Michael Raoul-Duval donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.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 public domain. 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. AFRICA THIS PAST YEAR, EVENTS IN AFRICA THREATENED TO GET OUT OF CONTROL. AFTER THE SOVIET-CUBAN VICTORY IN ANGOLA, THE TREND TOWARD RADICALISM AND VIOLENCE WAS SHARPLY ACCELERATED. GUERRILLA WAR WAS UNDERWAY. AFRICAN LEADERS WERE DOUBTING OUR STRENGTH AND ABILITY TO HELP. THE OPPORTUNITY FOR FURTHER SOVIET EXPANSION WAS RISING. BECAUSE WE ALONE HAD THE TRUST OF BOTH SIDES, WE WERE ASKED BY MANY AFRICAN LEADERS TO USE OUR GOOD OFFICES TO HELP PROMOTE PEACEFUL SOLUTIONS WHILE THERE WAS STILL TIME. THAT'S WHY I INSTRUCTED SECRETARY KISSINGER TO GO TO AFRICA IN APRIL AND IN SEPTEMBER. (OVER) FORD i LIBRARY GERALD WITH PATIENCE AND DETERMINATION, WE ACHIEVED: -- AGREEMENT TO A FIXED TIMETABLE FOR INDEPENDENCE IN SOUTHWEST AFRICA. -- AGREEMENT AMONG THE RHODESIAN FACTIONS TO ESTABLISH AN INTERIM GOVERNMENT LEADING TO ULTIMATE MAJORITY RULE. -- STRICT GUARANTEE OF MINORITY RIGHTS. IN SUM, WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A FRAMEWORK WHICH PROMISES PEACEFUL EVOLUTION -- NOT BLOODY REVOLUTION. OUR INITIATIVE WAS WARMLY WELCOMED BY AFRICANS OF ALL RACES, WE WORKED CLOSELY WITH BRITAIN WHICH HAS AN HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RHODESIA. OUR SUCCESS LAST MONTH IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF A PROCESS -- BRITAIN HAS NOW CALLED FOR THE NEGOTIATION TO BEGIN, AND WE BELIEVE IT WILL SUCCEED, REBUTTAL ON AFRICA I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT MR. CARTER HAS GIVEN HIS SUPPORT TO OUR PEACEMAKING EFFORTS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, AFRICANS WANT THEIR FUTURE DETERMINED BY AFRICANS, FREE OF OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE. WE SUCCEEDED IN THIS MEDIATION EFFORT BECAUSE WE HAD THE TRUST OF BOTH SIDES. THE POLICY OF WEAKNESS -- SHOWN IN THE CONGRESS -- SUCH AS FAILING TO MEET OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN ANGOLA -- ONLY ACCELERATED THE TRENDS OF RADICALISM AND VIOLENCE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. IT GAVE A GREEN LIGHT TO FOREIGN INTERVENTION. FORD is LIBRARY GERALD AFRICA This past year, events in Africa threatened to get out of control. Because we failed to stop Soviet-Cuban intervention in Angola, the trend toward radicalism and violence was sharply accelerated. Guerrilla war was underway. Because we alone had the trust of both sides, we were asked by many African leaders to use our good offices to help promote peaceful solutions while there was still time. That 's why I sent Secretary Kissinger to Africa in April and in September. Our initiative was warmly welcomed by Africans of all races. We worked closely with Britain which has an historical responsibility for Rhodesia. Our success last month is only the beginning of a process. But Britain has now called for the negotiation to begin, and we believe it will succeed. REBUTTAL ON AFRICA Africans want their future determined by Africans, free of outside interference. We succeeded in this mediation effort because we had the trust of both sides. The Democrats' policy of weakness -- such as failing to meet our responsibility in Angola -- only accelerated the trends of radicalism and violence in southern Africa. It gave a green light to foreign intervention. FORD & LIBRARY GERALD CRUDE OIL IMPORTS, BY SOURCE FROM PERCENT OF TOTAL IMPORTS TOTAL OPEC 84% TOTAL OAPEC 42% SAUDI ARABIA 21% IRAN 7% FORD LIBRARY is GENALD CRUDE OIL IMPORTS, BY SOURCE FROM PERCENT OF TOTAL IMPORTS TOTAL OPEC 84% TOTAL OAPEC 42% SAUDI ARABIA 21% IRAN 7% GERALD s LIBRARY FORD REBUTTAL ON MIDDLE EAST More has been accomplished for Middle East peace in my Administration than in the previous generation. We have succeeded because we have the trust of both sides. Mr. Carter's anti-Arab positions would undermine this drastically. Moderate Arab countries that are pro-Western and pro-peace are valued friends of the United States. No one can doubt my commitment to the survival and security of Israel. I've shown it in deeds, not promises: -- Aid to Israel in my Administration has totalled over $4. 2 billion. Prime Minister Rabin has said Israel's relations with the U.S. are "at a peak. 11 FORD is LIBRARI MIDDLE EAST We have the trust of both sides. That is why we have played a curcial role of mediating for peace in the Middle East. The Sinai Agreement was a milestone -- the first agreement moving towards peace, and not just to end hostilities or disengage forces. We will continue to promote negotiations for peace between the parties. Through our successful step-by-step diplomacy, we have reached the point where the Geneva Conference or more comprehensive efforts may be successful. We proceed in the closest consultation with Israel. Prime Minister Rabin says that Israel's relations with the U.S. are "at a peak. 11 Aid to Israel in my Administration totals over $4.2 billion. (All previous U.S. aid in 27 years totalled $6. 1 billion). Israel's strength insures that negotiation is the only feasible alternative. But without friendly relations with the moderate Arab states, we could not have achieved what we have for peace.