945C.61/11–752: Telegram

The Acting Secretary of State to the Consulate General at Salisbury 1

confidential

38. Dept appreciates urtel 522 re Financial Times story and agrees with your proposal hold text statement contained Deptel 323 for future use shld situation warrant. Accordingly shld alleged US position again be referred in press, public speeches, legis debates etc. you are instrd release statement to local press with such minor drafting changes as appear to be necessary. Dept also suggests you incorporate in text statement if released point that USGovt has been closely fol Federation question since its inception as matter gen internatl interest but has consistently felt this complex question for determination by govts and peoples concerned.

In view great effect outcome Federation issue may have on public opinion in Af as well as overseas and in UN where matter recently mentioned4 Dept considers it very important USGovt’s attitude of impartiality be publicized if repetition Financial Times incident occurs.

Bruce
  1. This telegram was repeated to London; drafted by Feld of the Bureau of African Affairs (AF); and cleared by the Office of Dependent Area Affairs (UND), the Economic and Investment Development Staff (ED), and the Office of British Commonwealth and Northern European Affairs (BNA).
  2. Supra .
  3. Dated Nov. 4, p. 313.
  4. This happened at the Oct. 24, 1952 meeting of the Trusteeship Committee. For further information, see United Nations, Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventh Session, Fourth Committee, Trusteeship, p. 32.