47. Editorial Note

On November 26, 1961, the White House announced that Chester Bowles would become the President’s Special Representative and Adviser on African, Asian, and Latin American Affairs, with particular emphasis on the problems of the new and developing countries. In this post, Bowles would “report directly to the President and Secretary of State on long-range planning and policy in this area, and on the improvement of our operation and representation in the countries involved. He will hold the rank of Ambassador, and also serve as an ex-officio member of the Policy Planning Council. He will continue to have an important role in explaining and promoting American foreign policy to key individuals and audiences both at home and abroad, and will from time to time undertake special missions for the President.” (Memorandum of Understanding, November 27; Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, State Department, General, 11/20/61–11/30/61) For President Kennedy’s remarks concerning Bowles at his news conference of November 29, and his remarks at the swearing in of Bowles as the President’s Special Representative on December 12, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1961, pages 759 and 798.

Among other organizational changes in the Department of State, George Ball was to become Under Secretary of State; George McGhee would move from the Policy Planning Council to replace Ball as the second Under Secretary of State (but for Political rather than Economic Affairs); and W. Averell Harriman would become Assistant Secretary of State for Far Eastern Affairs. Leaving the White House for the State Department, Walt Rostow would become Counselor of the Department and Chairman of the Policy Planning Council; Fred Dutton would become Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations, and Richard Goodwin would become a Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs. On the State Department reorganization in the fall of 1961, see Schlesinger, A Thousand Days, pages 442–445; memorandum from Jones to Rusk, December 1, in the National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, 110.10/12–161; also Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual Circular No. 44, Responsibilities of the Under Secretaries and Deputy Under Secretaries of State, December 15, 1961, in the Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, State Department, General, 12/61.