Idi-otic Idea

In one of the more unlikely and misjudged diplomatic interventions of modern times, brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin offered in 1974 to act as a peace broker in Northern Ireland, official British records showed on Saturday.

 

The offer, while privately dismissed as “preposterous” by officials in London, was nonetheless thought to be serious, meriting a formal reply to the negative, according to the newly-released files.

 

The move by Amin, whose rule over Uganda from 1971 to 1979 saw an estimated 400,000 deaths as well as the expulsion of the country’s entire Asian population, came in mid-1974.

 

At the time, the conflict in Northern Ireland had entered one of its bloodiest periods.

 

“It appears that the political and security situation in Northern Ireland is becoming worse every passing day without any apparent feasible solution to it in sight,” Amin wrote in a letter, now released by the National Archives.

 

“This serious and regrettable development calls for Britain’s best and sincere friends to come to her assistance. Consequently, I avail my good offices at the disposal of the opposing sides in Northern Ireland.

 

“I suggest that representatives of your Catholic and Protestant communities in Northern Ireland as well as representatives of your government come to Uganda, far away from the site of battle and antagonism, for a conference on how to bring peace to their Province.”

 

The letter was signed “General Idi Amin Dada”, followed by a series of top British military honours the dictator had conferred on himself.

 

In a covering note, the British High Commission in Kampala said that while the offer showed Amin’s “naive view of world affairs”, it was nevertheless “a genuine and sincere effort to be helpful”.

 

In London, Foreign Office officials noted that while they did not wish to spur Amin’s “delusions of statesmanship”, a polite reply would be necessary.

 

“As the general’s messages go, this is one of his more lucid and, although it is as preposterous as one might expect, the acting high commissioner believes that it was sent with the best of intentions,” one official informed Downing Street.

 

“It would therefore seem appropriate and courteous to return some acknowledgment.”