396.1–GE/3–2654: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Embassy in South Africa
16. FYI. South Africa is only country of the sixteen which participated UN Korean operation which has declined invitation to Korean phase Geneva Conference. It has been and remains US policy not attempt influence decision of any participants this matter. In case of South Africa, South African Ambassador1 here feels very strongly his country making major mistake in refusing invitation. By participation they have built up close and friendly international relationship with the fifteen other participants which in his eyes has been important as a counter to well-known South African tendency towards isolationism. By refusing invitation he feels his government tossing away this asset and to what purpose. Presumably he has put these views his government but appears doubtful this will result in change of position. His counselor2 on several occasions has hinted but not requested that perhaps a word from you to Prime Minister3 on matter might be considerably more effective than his own representations. End FYI.
In light foregoing you are given discretion talk to Forsyth4 and depending on his reaction again your discretion to Prime Minister [Page 59] along following line: You are speaking with knowledge but not under instructions your Government. You have noted South Africa’s decision decline invitation Korean phase Geneva Conference. You note further South Africa is only Korean participant which has declined such invitation. It has been policy U.S. Government not to attempt influence decision of any participant this matter and you are not now attempting do so in case South Africa. You are wondering however whether this decision is really in interest South Africa. By participating in Korean operation South Africa not only struck a blow in defense of principles of collective security but from point of view of its own enlightened self interest developed a close international relationship with the other participants as evidenced by the frequent Washington and New York meetings of the participants. While we would hope to continue to include South Africa in such meetings almost inevitably from this point on the meetings will be closely tied to Geneva, may be held there and likely result, despite our efforts to contrary, will be that South Africa in time will lose its place in the group. You are wondering therefore if South African declination invitation will not in effect result in South Africa tossing away an asset without as far as you can see obtaining any advantage thereby.
If you decide wise talk as above it should of course be done most informally, be a one-shot operation and you should make it clear U.S. Government not attempting change South African position but that you merely wanted make these observations as a friend of South Africa and solely in interest South Africa.5
- G. P. Jooste.↩
- A. A. M. Hamilton.↩
- Daniel F. Malan was both Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs.↩
- D. D. Forsyth was Permanent Secretary for External Affairs.↩
- On Mar. 29, Ambassador Waldemar J. Gallman reported that in the morning he had seen Forsyth, who expressed his sympathy for Gallman’s position, held out no hope for a reversal of the policy, but urged him to see the Prime Minister. In the afternoon, Gallman met Malan, who stated that the South African decision not to attend the Geneva Conference was merely an extension of the policy announced before the cease fire in Korea that after the fighting ended South Africa would not participate actively in Korean matters. South Africa, having discharged its obligations under the U.N. Charter, would now leave Korean matters to those governments more directly concerned. (Telegrams 43 and 44, Mar. 29, from Capetown; 396.1–GE/3–2954)↩