The United States welcomes the decision by the Government of Belgium to purchase thirty-four new F-35 fighter aircraft. Belgium is now poised to fly the F-35 alongside its closest NATO Allies and longtime partners. The United States is proud of our enduring air partnership with Belgium, a country whose air power has contributed to the Defeat ISIS campaign in Iraq and Syria, and NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission. With Belgium’s commitment to the F-35 program, its five-star aerospace industry will continue to expand as it supports this 5^th generation aircraft, which was jointly developed with European partners. Belgium’s participation in the F-16 program has been a cornerstone of our modern transatlantic defense partnership. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many decades to come with the F-35 program.

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The Department of State released today Foreign Relations of the United States, 1977–1980, Volume XVII, Part 2, Sub-Saharan Africa.

This volume is part of a Foreign Relations subseries that documents the most important foreign policy issues of the Jimmy Carter administration. Parts 1 and 3 of Volume XVII address the Horn of Africa and North Africa, respectively. The focus of this volume is on the Carter administration’s approach to events in Africa. The first chapter addresses the administration’s attitude toward the continent as a whole, including an attempt to reconstruct U.S. foreign policy toward Africa while continuing its predecessors’ policy of countering Cuban and Soviet influence on the continent.

The volume is also divided into regional subsections: First, the chapter on East Africa covers the U.S. response to the provocations of Idi Amin in Uganda, the Tanzanian invasion to overthrow the Ugandan dictator, and a strengthening of ties with Tanzania and Kenya to further U.S. interests in southern Africa. Next, the chapter on Central Africa outlines U.S.-Zairean relations, focusing on the Shaba II crisis as well as aid to and investment in Sudan and parts of the Sahel. Finally, the chapter on West Africa addresses the role of Nigeria in African economics and politics, the U.S. response to a Liberian coup, and U.S. relations with the other smaller countries in West Africa.

This compilation was compiled and edited by Louise P. Woodroofe. The volume and this press release are available on the Office of the Historian website at https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v17p2. Copies of the volume will be available for purchase from the U.S. Government Publishing Office online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/ (GPO S/N 044-000-02696-1; ISBN 978-0-16-094796-4), or by calling toll-free 1-866-512-1800 (D.C. area 202-512-1800). For further information, contact history@state.gov.

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: ‎

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Mohammed Ali al-Hakim to congratulate him on becoming the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Iraq. The Secretary said he looked forward to working closely with him to help his government deliver stability, security, and prosperity for all Iraqis and to continue to improve Iraq’s relations with the United States and Iraq’s neighbors in the broader region.

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On behalf of the Government and people of the United States of America, I congratulate the people of Austria on the occasion of your National Day.

Austria’s role as a European leader, center of international business and diplomacy, and scientific and cultural hub is recognized around the world. A trusted partner of the United States, Austria shares our commitment to strengthening democracy and human rights and our goal of a peaceful and prosperous Europe.

We deeply value Austria’s contributions toward those goals. Our bilateral relationship ranges from military and security cooperation to our trade and economic partnership and robust cultural and people-to-people ties. On this day, we reflect on 180 years of our diplomatic relations and friendship. We look forward to further strengthening our enduring ties in the years to come.

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert: ‎

Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Adil Abd al-Mahdi, Iraq’s new Prime Minister. The Secretary congratulated Abd al-Mahdi on his official confirmation as Prime Minister and for his successful efforts on the formation of the Republic of Iraq’s new government. The Secretary pledged to work closely with him to help his government deliver stability, security, and prosperity for all Iraqis. The Secretary underlined his support for the government’s efforts to ensure security so that Christians and other minority groups can return to their ancestral areas which were devastated by ISIS.

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