LETTER TO THE HONORABLE J. WILLIAM NIDDENDORF II FROM W. E. COLBY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01495R000500110007-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 16, 2005
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: September 19, 1974
• Content Type: LETTER

Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80BO1495R000500110007-1
Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80BO1495R000500110007-1
 Approved For Release" 2005/12/2 QKLOB01 495ROOO"01 10007-1
19 SEP 1974
NIO #2031-74
The Honorable J. William Middendorf II
Secretary of the Navy
Department of the Navy
Washington, D.C. 20350
Dear Mr. Secretary:
Thank you for bringing the Department of State
memorandum on Somalia and USSR to my attention. I
think the memo focuses on many of the issues related
to the Soviet presence in Somalia and the Indian Ocean
as well. Although the Soviet presence in Somalia is
small and growing slowly, the Somalia port and com-
munications facilities are by far the most important
to the day-to-day operation of the Soviet navy in the
Indian Ocean.
There are some features of the Soviet presence
in Somalia that should be kept in mind and which bear
directly on the future relationship of the Soviets and
Somalis. The Soviets have maintained a very low profile
in Somalia probably due to the demonstrated Somali
sensitivity about Soviet bases in that country. The ex-
istence of a new "Friendship Treaty" between the USSR
and Somalia is Z-'
as yet unsubstantiated and recent Somali disclaimers oT'~
Soviet base rights in Somalia tend to discredit that
report.
We expect the Soviets to develop further the
facilities in Somalia but that development will be
gradual and small. We likewise expect that the Somalis
will maintain their sovereign rights in the Berbera area.
Sincerely,
%s/1 Ai'
W. E. Colby
s r2 u ion :
Original j-'Addressee
4Y - DDI (wo/basic)
1 - NIO/CF (w/basic)
1 - NIO/RI (wo/bask)
ApproIed-Fc 1`Relda(s`e2Q'0AtM :3-C$A-RD
1 - DCI (wo/ba '1
25X1
25X1
 Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80BO1495R000500110007-1
MEM ..RANDUM FOR: M. W
There is a misstatement in this memo,
which I called to John Bird's attention--
unfortunately the original had already been
signed by the DCI and sent out.
There is no question that a friendship
treaty was signed; that's public knowledge.
I have sent info copies to OCI and OSR.
20 Sept 1974
(DATE)
FORM GN 54 I01 WHICH RELACES
MAY FORM
1 AU
BE US1 ED!Di
Approved For Release 2005/12/24: CIA-RDP80BO1495R000500110007-1