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

142. Memorandum of a Conversation, White House, Washington, June 25, 1957¹

Washington, June 25, 1957

PARTICIPANTS

• The President
• The Vice President of Liberia, William R. Tolbert, Jr.
• The Ambassador of Liberia, George A. Padmore
• Acting Chief of Protocol, Victor Purse

At the request of the Liberian Ambassador to the United States, an appointment was set up for the Vice President of Liberia, William R. Tolbert, Jr., to pay a brief courtesy call on the President at 10:00 a.m., June 25. After the usual exchange of greetings, the President and Vice President Tolbert discussed the general economic situation in Liberia, including rubber development and mining. President Eisenhower had asked specific questions concerning these two industries.

After the discussion of the economic situation in Liberia, Vice President Tolbert presented the President with a letter from President Tubman. The President said that he would make a personal reply to the letter.²

The Vice President then indicated that he had a problem which he would like to bring to the President’s attention. He said that the Soviet Government has approached the Liberian Government for the purpose of establishing diplomatic relations and negotiating a trade treaty.³ The Liberian Government has twice turned down the request.

Vice President Tolbert said that the Liberian Government would like very much to receive the United States Government’s reaction to this proposal. The President suggested that Vice President Tolbert take that matter up when he meets with Secretary Dulles.⁴

The President indicated that many countries’ dealings with the Soviets had not worked out too well. In many instances the Soviets had used their trade negotiations as a spearhead to accomplish their political purposes. If there were certain products that the Liberians could not market, these details should be brought to the attention of Dr. Randall’s Economic Committee.⁵

The Vice President then expressed the appreciation of the Liberian Government for the cooperation of the United States in the joint economic and technical assistance program. The President inquired of the Vice President his impression of our technical assistance and aid programs, specifically as to whether we had too many people and whether they were being properly utilized. The Vice President felt that all the United States personnel were being profitably employed, particularly in the fields of education, highway development and health. The President felt it was very important to have the technical assistance program developed well in advance of the material aid program.

At the conclusion of the conversation, the President invited the photographers to come into his office and take pictures.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.7611/6–2557. Secret. Drafted by Purse.
2. Tubman’s brief message dated June 4 and Eisenhower’s reply of June 25 are in Eisenhower Library, Dulles Papers, White House Memoranda.
3. At a social affair in Monrovia on April 5, Tubman revealed that the Soviets had approached Ambassador Simpson in London to request the initiation of negotiations for a treaty of friendship, commerce and navigation. (Despatch 248 from Monrovia, April 8; Department of State, Central Files, 661.76/4–857)
4. See infra.
5. Clarence H. Randall was a special consultant to the President on foreign economic policy and headed the Council on Foreign Economic Policy (CFEP).