International records / Foreign Relations of the United States

15. Memorandum From Secretary of State Vance to President Carter

U.S. Recognition and Congressional Attitudes One of the ways in which we can support eventual moves toward reconciliation in Angola is to hold out the ultimate prospect of U.S. recognition assistance. Thus, if the Neto regime or an intermediary like Obasanjo asks us about our intentions, we should avoid an absolute refusal. We should, however, point out that domestic political constraints prevent us from moving ahead now, and we can indicate that Cuban troop presence and the continuing civil war are factors which complicate our ability to recognize. We should use any contact we might have with…