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pian meeting. Our delegation fully shares
the view that the Soviet mission of good
services is continuing. However, given the
current situation the Somali delegation con-
siders it imperative to return to Mogadishu
to report on the situation, which has taken
shape during the negotiations to the CC
SRSP and to the government of Somalia.
[I] underscored that the Soviet Union
intends to continue its good services mis-
sion. I thanked my interlocutor for his high
estimation of the efforts of the USSR in the
search for a mutually acceptable resolution,
directed at the normalization of Somali-
Ethiopian relations.
At the same time, I ascertained, as a
result of the separate meetings and conver-
sations which had taken place with the So-
mali and the Ethiopian delegations, that both
parties still maintained uncompromising and
virtually mutually exclusive positions.
Nonetheless, the Soviet delegation
considers, as before, that in the development
of events nothing has happened which
would make unrealizable the execution of
the Soviet working document. This docu-
ment remains valid and in fact acquires even
more significance, insofar as the escalation
of military actions continues. It goes with-
out saying that the Soviet side is aware of
the difficulties which have arisen and un-
derstands the approach of each of the del-
egations in their consideration of the cur-
rent issues. But it would obviously be hasty
to come to conclusions of any sort which
would “slam the door.” On the contrary,
the door is open to the search for a rational
solution to the questions which stand be-
tween the two countries, with both of whom
the Soviet Union has friendly relations.
I expressed my gratitude to my inter-
locutor and to the members of the Somali
delegation for their cooperation with the
Soviet side. The discussions which took
place were characterized by candor, as be-
fits discussions between friends. I also ex-
pressed the hope that, after their consulta-
tions with their leadership, the Somali del-
egation would once again return to Moscow
in order to continue this exchange of opin-
ions.
In conclusion, I inquired as to when the
Somali delegation intended to return to
Mogadishu.
H. A. Kasim responded, that the del-
egation would depart on the Aeroflot flight
on Sunday, August 13.
Having expressed his thanks for the
hospitality which was accorded to the So-
mali representatives in Moscow, H. A.
Kasim requested that we continue our dis-
cussion privately.
In a tete-a-tete conversation, H. A.
Kasim said the following.
First: The Somali delegation had re-
ceived an alarming communication about
certain schemes concerning Ethiopia. As is
well known, Somalia values the fact that
Ethiopia maintains friendly relations with
this.
[I] expressed thanks for the informa-
tion. I noted that the initial communication
of the Somali delegation was of an exces-
sively general nature. The schemes of im-
perialist and reactionary Arab circles and
their intentions are generally well known.
Imperialism and reactionism intend to strike
a blow not only at Ethiopia, but also at So-
malia. They are not happy with the social-
ist course which has been proclaimed in both
of these countries. Naturally, it is impera-
tive to be vigilant.
The situation, which has developed in
the relations between Somalia and Ethiopia,
in the view of the Soviet side, is favorable
to the realization of the goals of imperial-
ism and reactionism. The path down which
Somalia has started with the aim of creat-
ing, in your words, a “socialist monolith”
in East Africa, is likely to undermine the
goals you have placed before yourself. We
are aware of the fact that in Ethiopia there
are reactionary forces, that there is an inter-
nal counter-revolution, that there is a
struggle going on in Ethiopia.
However, according to our informa-
tion, the core leadership of Ethiopia is tak-
ing a progressive course. Here, unfortu-
nately, we disagree with you in our evalua-
tion.
As is well known, in a discussion with
the Soviet ambassador, Siad Barre declared
that the Somali government did not oppose
the granting of assistance to Ethiopia by the
Soviet Union within the framework of the
agreement which exists between the two
countries. We offer assistance to Ethiopia,
just as we offered assistance to Somalia, but,
as you are aware, this assistance is intended
to serve the aim of defense, not aggression.
[I] said that I had not happened to see
in the press declarations of the Ethiopian
leadership to the effect that they intend to
“teach Somalia a lesson.” It is possible, that
this matter is the work of the mass media.
Unfortunately, the mass media in both coun-
tries has strayed too far in their mutual ac-
cusations. Therefore the Soviet Union has
appealed not to give free rein to emotions,
but rather to act with reason, proceeding not
from national interests, but rather from in-
ternational interests, from the interests of
strengthening the position of progressive
forces. A dangerous situation has now been
created and if it is not gotten under control
it may develop into a serious conflict, the
irreversibility of which would be fraught
with serious consequences.
Therefore the Soviet leaders, as friends,
advise your leaders to weigh all of the cir-
cumstances and to approach this matter from
a broad public and international position.
The Soviet Union hopes to avoid a conflict
in the relations of two countries, with both
of whom it has friendly relations. The most
important task now is to stop the escalation
of tension, to put an end to the bloodshed.
It appears to us that there is no other basis
for a settlement now than that one which
was proposed by the Soviet side in the work-
ing document, which the Ethiopian side has
accepted and which, unfortunately, the So-
mali side has refused to accept.
Up to this point the course of negotia-
tions, as it appears to us, does not satisfy
your two delegations, but the Soviet side is
also not satisfied, although the Soviet side
is taking all possible steps. Nonetheless, we
consider it imperative to continue our ef-
forts toward reaching a turning-point in the
events which would be satisfactory to the
interests of the forces of progress and so-
cialism.
H.A. Kasim noted that Siad Barre, in a
conversation with the Soviet ambassador,
had indeed said that Somalia did not object
to assistance, including military assistance,
offered by the Soviet Union to Ethiopia.
However, he also spoke of the necessity of
maintaining proportions. My interlocutor
declared that he would like to express his
candid hope that the Soviet Union would
approach with understanding the issue that,
until the time has arrived when the question
of the part of Somali territory has been re-
solved, the Somali revolution will be in dan-
ger. Moreover, this danger does not come [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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