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IdiAmin

681 pages · May 08, 2026 · Document date: Aug 15, 1978 · Broad topic: General · Topic: Your Letter · 28 pages OCR'd
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CONFIDENTIAL 15 2. He went on to say that he had always been a warm admirer of Britain and everything British. The British people had educated him and trained him. This was why he had been particularly pained by the criticism of the British Press and radio who had mounted a campaign against him ever since< 1972,-.;They bad criticised him for his economic war to rid the Ugandans of control by Asians. How would Britain like it if her economy was run by Jews? However, although he resented very much the activities of certain journalists and broadcasters such as David Martin he did not hold anything against the British as a people. In fact he wanted more British to come to Uganda. They were very good people who loved Uganda and they need have no fear for their safety. In future if any of them got into trouble or he wanted to get rid of them he would invite the High Commissioner to come and talk privately abdut the question; they could be asked to leave the country without fuss. As for the High Commissioner he thought very highly indeed of Mr. Hennessy and had no intention of treating him badly. He would ensure that he would be treated with dignity and not molested by the television unless he had given permission for this. 3. As regards compensation there had been much trouble and confusion about this but he wanted to make it clear that compensation would be paid. As to other outstanding questions he did not wish to enter into details since these had already been discussed between Mr. Callaghan and Mr. Bula. He wanted some British equipment and spare parts. If he could not get what he wanted from the British he could get it from the Russians or the Chinese but he did not want this. He would like to ask Mr. Callaghan for his comments before going any further. Mr. Callaghan then made a brief reply in which he echoed President Amin's tributes to President Mobutu. He said that he had noted with pleasure the sentiments expressed by President Amin towards the British and he wanted to make it clear that Britain for her part certainly would like to improve relations with Uganda. Wehad very friendly feelings towards the Ugandans, But we must recognise that for a number of reasons relations between our two Governments had lately been bad. They had got to a very low ebb and it was certainly desirable to improve them. He would be willing to play his part provided that we could satisfactorily close the old chapter. The main object of his visit was to try to settle the question of Mr. Hills. He was not clear what decision President Amin had reached about this case. President Amin said that he would do what he said he would do about Mr. Hills. That is to say, he would release him to Mr. Callaghan and he could return to London with him: Mr. Callaghan said he was grateful for this magnanimous gesture. This foreshadowed a new chapter in Anglo/ Ugandan relations. President Amin asked whether Mr. Callaghan did not have some other points such as those mentioned on the previous evening to his Ministers. But he did not himself wish to go into detail about these unless Mr. Callaghan wished. Mr. Callaghan said that some of the points had already been covered by what the President had already said. Now we are ready to play our part in trying to make progress in restoring Anglo/Ugandan relations. We should be ready to send officials to visit Uganda for various purposes already agreed. However we must make progress step by step and not think that we shall be able at once to enter a new era in which there would be fully restored friendship between us. We must go slowly and gently in trying to open this new chapter. 4. At this point Mr. Hills was ushered into the room and after greeting President Amin was presented to Mr. Callaghan. He looked decidedly shaken and dazed and obviously had been given no idea in advance of what awaited him, or indeed what was going on. In shaking hands with Mr. Callaghan he said that he recognised him from photographs but it was clear from his manner that he had not known in advance that the Secretary of State was in Uganda. CONFIDENTIAL
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