Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Africa and South Asia, Volume XI, Part 1

S/P–NSC files, lot 61 D 167, “North Africa”

Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Staff for the National Security Council Planning Board¹

secret

[Washington, undated.]

Africa

major u.s. interests

1. Security of actual and potential U.S. military bases in the area, and of free and uninhibited U.S. military access to Africa as required in time of war.

2. Security of adequate U.S. access to, and utilization of, the strategic raw materials of the area in time of peace and war.

3. Support of the colonial powers’ presence in the area and of their responsibility for the security, political and material progress of the African peoples, and the latters’ adherence to the free world.

1. This paper was transmitted to the NSC Planning Board by NSC Executive Secretary Lay on Mar. 17, 1954 under cover of a memorandum which read as follows:

   “The enclosed list of major U.S. interests in Africa, prepared in the NSC Staff, is transmitted for the use of the Planning Board in its discussion of the subject scheduled for Monday, March 22.

   “It is anticipated that various Planning Board Members will, submit similar lists, pursuant to the agreement in the Planning Board meeting of March 3.”

   Regarding the Planning Board meeting of Mar. 3, see the editorial note, supra.