Foreign Relations of the United States, 1955–1957, Africa, Volume XVIII

136. Telegram From the Embassy in Liberia to the Department of State¹

Monrovia, January 6, 1956—10 p.m.

108. Reference: Our 107.² Tubman met Soviet delegation from 1000 to 1045 hours today and at 1115 hours called Ambassador Jones for conference at once. Tubman reported his interview as follows:

(1) Volkov referred 1946 Liberian-USSR negotiations for treaty friendship which were suspended that year. He requested negotiations be reopened with view establishing diplomatic missions. Tubman replied establishment diplomatic relations must depend on legislative action re funds and existence of treaty friendship.

(2) Volkov requested Tubman prepare draft treaty as basis negotiations. Tubman agreed in principle to treaty friendship but considered proposal premature since USSR delegation lacked authority for such negotiations. Volkov said his credentials this mission carried sufficient authorization. Tubman sent for credentials and after reading disagreed with Volkov citing that credentials covered only inaugural ceremonies. Volkov inquired re possibility, as interim arrangement, of USSR appointing as its agent representative friendly country with mission in Monrovia and conversely Liberia designation mission friendly country in Moscow as Liberia’s agent in USSR. Tubman, in jocular vein, asked Jones “who do you think would be Liberia’s agent in Moscow?” Volkov requested use Liberian code to transmit via Liberian and Soviet Embassies London message requesting authorization for Soviet delegation open negotiations on treaty friendship. Tubman refused this request since he considered very improper for one country use code of another country. Tubman replying to question said he would not interpose any objection Soviet delegation sending message in clear.

(3) Volkov expressed Soviet interest economic and cultural development Liberia and stated USSR prepared offer economic aid Liberia. Tubman informed Volkov Liberia could not accept such arrangement so long as there was no treaty friendship.

(4) Tubman acceded to Volkov’s request to announce at his party January 7 invitations for several Liberian Legation members visit Moscow.

(5) Tubman refused Volkov permission hold press conference to announce that negotiations for treaty friendship were underway. Tubman reminded Volkov such statement would be inaccurate because Volkov lacked authority enter such negotiations. Tubman stated that he was prepared to issue joint communiqué on points they discussed. End of report on interview with Volkov.³

(6) Tubman then informed Ambassador that early next week he would receive note on subject. Tubman concluded with following statement which he requested Ambassador transmit to US Government since “my code is not strong enough”:

“When I meet Volkov within next few days I will tell him that the economic and other relations existing between the US and Liberia are neither for sale nor barter with any country. Liberia has all the aid it can use and if it needs more it will make its request to the US Government.”

(7) Ambassador thanked Tubman for information and offered his assistance at all times.

Jones

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 661.76/1–656. Secret. Niact. Also sent to London, Paris, Bonn, and Moscow.
2. Telegram 107 from Monrovia, January 5, summarized the conversation recorded supra. (Department of State, Central Files, 661.76/1–556)
3. The Embassy reported that, at a Soviet Delegation party on January 7, Volkov stated his nation’s willingness to provide economic aid and to receive Liberian legislators as visitors. At a private session with Tubman, he submitted additional credentials empowering him to negotiate a treaty of friendship. (Telegram 112 from Monrovia, January 9; ibid., 661.76/1–956)