34. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Murrow) to the Assistant Director, Africa (Roberts)1
I have the impression that our operations in Africa, particularly in connection with the new posts, parallel too closely the practice of the State Department. We are an operating agency and should concentrate our limited resources in areas of actual or potential strength. I doubt, for example, that posts in Mauritania or Upper Volta will greatly influence the course of future events in Africa.
We ought to establish a list of priorities and concentrate our resources and our efforts in those areas. Perhaps you would be good enough to consult with the appropriate people at State and I.C.A. and attempt to produce such a list. We may be able to cover the waterfront but we can’t cover all of Africa. We must decide where to concentrate.
- Source: National Archives, RG 306, Office of Plans, General Subject Files, 1949–1970, Entry UD WW 288, Box 132, IAA 1961. No classification marking. Halsema’s, Brooke’s, and Sorensen’s crossed-out initials are in the upper right of the memorandum.↩
- Murrow initialed “E.R.M.” above his typed signature.↩