February 23, 1978
TELEGRAM 016.560 from the Romanian Embassy in Bangui to the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
This document was made possible with support from ROK Ministry of Unification
TELEGRAM 016.560
To: the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Second Directorate - Liaison)
From: the Romanian Embassy in Bangui
Subject: Korean-Central African relations
Date: February 23rd, 1978
Classification: Secret
The Central African Empire had diplomatic relations with both Korean states, which are represented in Bangui through resident ambassadors.
The main objective of the DPRK is to convince the Central African Empire to break off diplomatic relations with South Korea. In this respect, the DPRK invited a Central African delegation to Pyongyang to finish the last details of a wide-ranging economic cooperation project (aimed at modernizing the agriculture through irrigations, giving out credits, [offering] specialists and agricultural equipment, civil engineering, etc.).
With a view to maintaining its position in the Central African Empire, South Korea offered [Bangui] non-reimbursable aid on the occasion of Bokassa’s coronation (on December 1st, 1977), amounting to $50,000, military specialists, and 5 fully-equipped police cars, etc.
The Central African Empire carries out a balancing policy and it is stimulating the competition between the two Korean states to gain as many economic advantages as possible by preserving diplomatic relations with both the DPRK and South Korea.
For the time being, we do not have any information which certifies that the Central Africa Empire is determined to break off diplomatic relations with South Korea.
Written by M. Georgescu
Signed
Ambassador N. Tăbîrcă
The Central African Empire is balancing between North and South Korea to gain as much economic support as possible.
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