A Soviet friendly nation in southern Africa might tip the balance of power in favor of the communists and set off more leftist revolutions in the region.  Since 1961, the US had been supporting Holden Roberto with a modest stipend of $10,000 a year.  In the light of the new situation, this sum was increased to $300,000 in 1975, and throughout that year $35 million was spent on arming the FNLA through airbases in friendly Zaire.  US involvement was relatively clandestine at this stage, mostly involving the CIA and indirect aid to the FNLA through Zaire.  An American population weary from Vietnam was not willing to enter another bloody Third World conflict so far from home.