Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

219. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain African Posts⁰

Washington, May 28, 1963, 6:41 p.m.

2032. Dept not planning make comprehensive public statement on Addis Conference¹ this time, although senior Dept officials will probably be called upon comment. Following summarizes Dept’s preliminary assessment Conference. You may use this material in conversations with officials and other responsible personalities, but should not give statements to the press.

Dept regards Conference and its outcome as remarkable achievement in that leaders managed in four days agree on certain basic issues despite personal rivalries and serious differences in approach. They adopted charter of Organization of African Unity (OAU), refusing to accept postponement as recommended by Foreign Ministers. Resolutions they adopted also reflected search for workable compromises, but may create problems for U.S. Dept therefore not prepared give unqualified endorsement to resolutions.

A. OAU Charter: Signed by 30 countries present with Morocco and Togo probably to adhere later; provides for assembly Heads of State meeting annually, Foreign Ministers Council meeting twice a year, permanent Secretariat with limited powers (no SYG yet, probable location Addis), and Commission of Mediation, Conciliation and Arbitration. There is no parliamentary assembly and charter contains no collective security provisions. Based on Ethiopian draft and resembles OAS Charter. It is, in Dept’s view, a realistic agreement in terms present African capabilities.

B. Resolutions:

1. Racism—Condemned racial discrimination everywhere, particularly in US, but coupled this with appreciation for efforts US Gov’t end discriminatory practices which otherwise likely cause serious deterioration in relations between US and Africa. This probably as good a resolution as could be expected. More moderate than earlier Foreign Ministers draft and significantly includes recognition and understanding role US Gov’t.

2. Decolonization—Great powers urged cease aid colonialist governments, particularly Portugal which engaging genocide. Other references to Southern Rhodesia, South West Africa, South Africa. Committee of 9 established at Dar es Salaam to raise funds and coordinate activities for liberation remaining dependent areas. Member states called upon develop local volunteers to provide assistance to national liberation movements. However, proposed fund of 1% national budgets OAU countries for liberation not adopted.UK Ambassador, Addis, believes UK can live with Southern Rhodesia resolution. Pressure on US increased by declaration that Portuguese allies must choose friendship of Portugal or Africa. Although resolution appears to call for economic boycott South Africa by all governments, effect this resolution still not clear.

3. Disarmament—Africa declared denuclearized zone. Great powers called upon sign disarmament agreement with effective controls and reduce arms. Expressed willingness African countries negotiate end military occupation, bases and nuclear testing in Africa. Moderation these resolutions encouraging in that need for disarmament controls recognized and willingness negotiate on removal bases expressed. Effect on tenure US installations North Africa and Ethiopia remains to be seen.

4. Apartheid—Fund set up for anti-apartheid movement.

5. Non-alignment—Doctrine given general support but need for payment UN obligations affirmed and better representation in UN requested.

6. Role of African Leaders:

a. Haile Selassi (Ethiopia): Prestige high, Nkrumah called him “Ethiopia the Wise”; good lobbyist; demonstrated high organizational ability.

b. Nkrumah (Ghana): Usual mixture extreme and sensible statements. He failed get his views adopted, although outcome Conference owed much to his dedication African unity.

c. Balewa (Nigeria): Critically important; turned Wachuku from obstructionism to positive work on charter; good influence; respected.

d. Nyerere (Tanganyika): Established himself as African with continental influence.

e. Nasser (UAR): Avoided controversy; tried to be good African.

f. Ben Bell a (Algeria): Strong activist on decolonization; won approval sub-Saharans.

g. Keita (Mali) and Toure (Guinea): Reasonable and moderate.

h. Houphouet-Boigny (Ivory Coast) and Senghor (Senegal): Confirmed their reputations as veteran parliamentarians.

i. Obote (Uganda): Sought to be disciple of Nkrumah.

Some of above subjects may be too controversial or ambiguous for comment in local context. These probably include gamut anti-colonialist activities rooted in new charter, probable South African boycott, and explicit anti-Portuguese resolutions. You should, of course, avoid comment these aspects Conference results and any others which in your judgment inadvisable in our particular situation.

You should also, as opportunity arises, offer congratulations US Gov’t on success of Conference to leaders who participated, tailoring approbation leader’s particular role both to objective assessment his accomplishments and attitude his gov’t to value of Conference.

Comment on economic aspects Conference to follow.

Request you report reaction local government to Conference.

Rusk

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 ETH. Confidential. Drafted by Sherry, cleared by Hadsel, and approved by Tasca. Sent to Abidjan, Accra, Addis Ababa, Algiers, Bamako, Bangui, Benghazi, Tripoli, Brazzaville, Conakry, Cotonou, Dakar, Dar-es-Salaam, Fort Lamy, Freetown, Kampala, Khartoum, Kigali, Lagos, Leopoldville, Libreville, Lome, Lourenco Marques, Luanda, Mogadiscio, Monrovia, Nairobi, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, Cape Town, Rabat, Salisbury, Tananarive, Tunis, Usumbura, Yaounde, and Zanzibar.
1. The Summit Conference of Independent African States met in Addis Ababa May 22-25. For text of President Kennedy’s message to the African Heads of State at the conference, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1963, p. 417. The Presidential message was sent to Emperor Haile Selassie, Chairman of the conference, who read it at the opening session. (Telegram 605 to Addis Ababa, May 17; Department of State, Central Files, POL 7 ETH)