ABSTRACT
Chapter 2 discusses how Kissinger was confronted by a substantial backlash against the nomination of Davis for Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in spring 1975. His robust defence of Davis is ironic given that their relationship became fraught immediately after Davis’ confirmation in March 1975. It also argues that Kissinger’s attention on the imminent collapse of Vietnam in April 1975 ensured that reports of Portuguese nonchalance towards Angolan peace efforts were overlooked. With the fall of Vietnam and Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda’s criticism of US–African policy in April 1975, Kissinger saw Angola as an easy opportunity to quickly address what he now deemed to be a critical credibility problem facing US foreign policy. Yet this chapter illustrates that there was no real credibility problem confronting the US as many foreign states saw US disengagement from the conflict as beneficial in the long term.
