601.45C11/7–2954

Memorandum of Conversation, by the Officer in Charge of West, Central, and East Africa Affairs ( Feld )

official use only

Subject:

  • Representation in United States for Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Participants:

  • Mr. Desmond Crawley, British Embassy
  • Mr. Ross, Deputy High Commissioner London for the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland
  • Mr. UtterAF
  • Mr. FeldAF
  • Mr. DurnanAF
  • Mrs. ThoresonBNA

Mr. Desmond Crawley, First Secretary at the British Embassy in charge of Commonwealth Relations Office affairs, has on several previous occasions outlined to officers of AF the views of the British Government on the status of the recently established Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in the conduct of its external affairs. Yesterday he called on me to introduce Mr. Ross, the Federation’s Deputy High Commissioner in London, who has recently arrived in the United States with instructions to canvass the possibility for establishing some form of representation for the Federation in this country, and [Page 342] to discuss this matter informally and in an exploratory manner with the Department. Mr. Ross made it very clear at the outset that, as the Department had already been advised by the British Government, Her Majesty’s Government handles the formal external relations of the Federation. However, the handling of many aspects of external relations is delegated in practice to the Federation Government, and is consonant with the Federal Constitution. Mr. Ross was, therefore, interested in obtaining the Department’s informal reaction to the Federation Government’s idea of sending a relatively high ranking official to handle its affairs in the United States. His Government felt that this official would be mainly concerned with acquainting American financial and industrial circles with investment and development opportunities in the Federation. His Consular functions, if any, would be very limited. He would also be able to handle inquiries from the general public and distribute information regarding the Federation in the same manner as is done by various foreign government information offices in this country.

In order to carry out these functions Mr. Ross felt that the office of such an official might better be in New York City.

Mr. Utter said that, in his view, the United States Government would welcome the establishment of such representation, it being understood that the official in question would be under the British Embassy in Washington. Mr. Ross said that he had discussed with the British Ambassador the question of the diplomatic status and title which would best meet the requirements of this official. He said the Ambassador had suggested that the official might possibly be designated “Counselor for Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland Affairs” or some very similar title. Mr. Crawley asked whether AF could ascertain from other appropriate officers in the Department, such as Protocol, if there would be any problem in effecting this representation, particularly with regard to accreditation, location of the office in New York, diplomatic immunities, etc. Mr. Utter indicated that he would discuss the matter with other Departmental officers and would give the British Embassy an indication of the Department’s reaction to this exploratory proposal as soon as possible.1

If the Department perceives no difficulties, Mr. Crawley indicated that the Embassy would probably communicate the proposal formally to the Department.

Mr. Ross stated that he was examining office space possibilities in New York. If the proposal is agreed to the Federation’s representative would probably arrive to establish his office in that city early in 1955.

  1. No response to this proposal was found in Department of State files for the year 1954.