August 1, 1978
TELEGRAM 016.723 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 016.723
To: the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Third Directorate)
From: the Romanian Embassy in Bangui
Subject: relations between the Central African Empire and the two Korean states
Date: August 1st, 1978
Classification: Secret
By establishing diplomatic relations with the two Korean states, the Central African Empire has aimed from the very beginning to play them off one another so that each of them contributes as much as possible with economic and technical assistance, as well as non-reimbursable aid.
Emperor Bokassa’s visit to the DPRK which ended with the signing of 12 agreements and conventions for the construction of [various] economic facilities on loan [from North Korea], was followed by some visit exchanges, at ministerial level.
On the occasion of the recent visit of the DPRK Finance Minister the following plans were finalized: the construction of the new palace in Berengo, the irrigation of a 5000-ha area; the construction of a soap factory and a furniture factory.
In response, the Seoul regime took action to invigorate its relationship with the Central African Empire. In this respect, it sent its ambassador to Washington as special envoy of the South Korean president; as Emperor Bokassa was away, the South Korean special envoy was received by the Central African Prime Minister. The [South Korean] special envoy relayed an invitation for Emperor Bokassa to visit South Korea, [which would allow] the two countries to discuss the possibilities for developing their political and economic relations. North Korean diplomats are closely following the actions of the Seoul regime and they admit that Emperor Bokassa managed to draw them into a competition [for the Central African Empire]. The DPRK believes that in the future evolution of its relations with the Central African Empire there will be favorable conditions for the DPRK to determine the Central African Empire to break off diplomatic relations with South Korea.
Our embassy [estimates] that this goal of the DPRK cannot be achieved, knowing the ability of Emperor Bokassa and the fact that the two countries are members of the UN. At the same time, we believe there are no serious reasons to determine the Central African Empire to take such a radical political decision.
Written by M. Georgescu
Signed
Ambassador N. Tăbîrcă
The ROK and DPRK government make competing diplomatic efforts to win support of the Central African Empire.
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