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IdiAmin
Page 160
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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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