033.45C11/8–3054
The Consul General at Salisbury (Steere) to the Department of State
Subject:
- Visit of Federation Finance Officials to United States
The Consulate General has been informed that Federal Finance Minister Donald Macintyre, accompanied by the Secretary of the Treasury, Sir Andrew Strachan, and a junior Treasury official named David Young, is about to visit the United States. They intend to arrive in New York aboard the S. S. Queen Mary on September 21, 1954.
According to Sir Andrew, the United Kingdom Government had suggested that the Minister be present at the meeting of the International Monetary Fund to be held in Washington shortly after their arrival. Both the Minister and Sir Andrew have indicated that they are well pleased to make this trip and are looking forward to making contact with the officials of the International Monetary Fund, the Export-Import Bank, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. They will probably be joined in the United States by Mr. A. P. Grafftey-Smith, Financial Advisor to the Federal Government, now on leave in London. During their stay in Washington they will be in the hands of the United Kingdom Treasury official at the British Embassy, Mr. Martin Flett.
This is the first time a Minister of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland has visited the United States. In view of the heavy role which Rhodesians expect United States investment to play in the future of their country, the fact that finance officials are to make the first visit is significant.
The Consulate General has suggested that the visitors take full advantage of their stay in the United States to make known to potential investors the opportunities which exist here. They have been told to make contact with the officials of the Office of Trade, Investment, and Monetary Affairs of FOA.
The Department’s cooperation in assisting these officials would appear to be useful. It is doubtful that the maximum benefit to be obtained from their visit could necessarily be obtained if they were left wholly the responsibility of the British Embassy.