333. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom 0
2830. Inform appropriate UK officials that US representatives will wish discuss during December 4-5 African talks possibility of more effective UK and US roles re Southern Rhodesia if Whitehead wins substantial victory in December 14 elections. US believes that in new situation following coming into force of new constitution and elections, UK and US may be able help bridge gap between Whitehead’s government and African nationalists. Important element of such effort would be provision increased training opportunities to prepare more Africans for participation in government activities. This should ease way to more expeditious expansion of African participation in government which US considers essential to orderly political progress in Southern Rhodesia and to continuation of at least economic ties between three components of Federation.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 745C.00/11-2962. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Mathews on November 23; cleared by Burdett, Sisco, Furnas, and McGhee (in substance); and approved by Tasca. Repeated to Salisbury.↩