486. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Southern Rhodesia1
342. You should seek an immediate appointment with Prime Minister Smith to deliver following message from the President:
“Dear Mr. Prime Minister:
In these days of decisive importance for the future of Southern Rhodesia, I believe you are entitled to know at first hand of our thinking here in the United States. While we fully recognize that the matter is centrally one between the British Government and the people and Government of Southern Rhodesia, it would be irresponsible for us to run the risk of any misunderstanding of our own position in the matter, so I think you should know of our views direct from me.
The United States has consistently supported the efforts of the British Government to arrive at a solution in Rhodesia which will be satisfactory to the population of Southern Rhodesia as a whole. While we recognize that there are grave and difficult issues still to be worked out in pursuit of this objective, we are convinced that a unilateral declaration of independence would be a tragic mistake which would serve the true interests of no one. The United States would have to make known its strong opposition to any such decision, and we do not intend to change our course of firm support for the position of the British Government after any such unilateral declaration.
It is our present understanding that Prime Minister Wilson has made further proposals, and that the road to agreement and understanding remains open. With full recognition of the great difficulties which you face, and the strong feelings with which you are surrounded, I express the hope that you and your colleagues will avoid a course which, in addition to all its other consequences, would inevitably break the strong ties of friendship and understanding which have bound our countries together in war and peace. We in the United States strongly value these ties, and we remain convinced that a peaceful, honorable and constitutional solution can be found. Such a solution will have our full support.2
[Page 832]Lyndon B. Johnson”
Note: It is important that knowledge of this message not originate from US sources.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 16 RHOD. Secret; Flash. Drafted by Bundy, cleared by Fredericks and Read, and approved by Ball. Also sent to London and to USUN for Ambassador Goldberg.↩
- In telegram 280 from Salisbury, October 30, McClelland reported that he delivered the President’s message to Smith at 9 a.m. that morning, and that the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the “courteous and reasonable tone” of the message. Prime Minister Smith also said that a significant last minute breakthrough had been achieved when the two sides agreed to a Royal Commission of Inquiry to examine the Rhodesian independence problem. (Ibid., POL 19 RHOD)↩