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

143. Memorandum of a Conversation, Department of State, Washington, July 1, 1957¹

Washington, July 1, 1957

SUBJECT

• Courtesy Call of Vice President of Liberia

PARTICIPANTS

• Mr. William Tolbert, Vice President of Liberia
• Mr. George A. Padmore, Ambassador of Liberia
• Mr. John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State
• Mr. Joseph Palmer 2nd, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

After an exchange of courtesies, the Secretary said that he hoped that the Vice President had received good reports on his physical condition. The Vice President replied that the doctors had pronounced him in fine condition and that he was similarly delighted to see the Secretary looking so well. Mr. Tolbert went on to speak of his deep feelings of esteem and friendship for Vice President Nixon, emphasizing the success of his recent visit to Africa.

The Vice President next referred to his recent appointment with President Eisenhower.² He recalled that he had carried a personal message from President Tubman, requesting the views of President Eisenhower on what course of action Liberia should take with respect to recent approaches from the Soviet Union proposing the conclusion of a treaty of friendship and commerce. Vice President Tolbert recalled that Liberia had long withstood Soviet blandishments and wished to do nothing now which would prejudice the strength of the free world. It was for this reason that President Tubman was most anxious to obtain the advice of President Eisenhower as to whether Liberia should accept the Soviet offer to conclude such a treaty. Mr. Tolbert said he had been most impressed with President Eisenhower’s reasons in advising against such action. The President had suggested he also raise this question with the Secretary, which he now wished to do.

The Secretary said that he felt that it would be quite inadvisable for Liberia to respond favorably to the Soviet initiative. He emphasized that in dealing with the Soviets one must constantly look behind their actions in order to determine their real motives. In a few isolated cases, it is possible that they may sincerely be interested in trade, but in most cases an analysis will reveal that their motives are political. Soviet trade treaties are usually followed by technicians, who have been politically trained. Once they establish themselves in an area, it is almost impossible to get them out. As experience has shown, a revolution in Hungary was unsuccessful in dislodging them. In other cases, such as Greece, Iran and Guatemala, it took a revolution to expel them. Austria was the only place he knew of from which the Soviets had withdrawn voluntarily and here it had taken years of effort by the West. The Secretary said that he thought that, in the light of this record, any country should think twice before inviting the Soviets in. The Secretary went on to speak of the well-known religious convictions of the Liberian people and contrasted Western belief in the inalienable rights of man to the materialistic concepts which motivate the Communist government of the Soviet Union.

The Secretary continued by pointing to evidence that the Soviets are beginning to pay more attention to Africa. A few years ago they appeared to be concentrating on Latin America as a primary target. Their efforts had been largely nullified, however, by the action of the OAS in adopting the Caracas Resolution,³ which authorized joint action in the event of a Communist take-over in any of the American Republics. Although not fully utilized during the course of the struggle in Guatemala, the existence of this Resolution had undoubtedly discouraged the Communist elements and contributed to their defeat. As a result of their abortive efforts in Guatemala, international Communism seems to have recognized the difficulties of penetrating Latin America and to have transferred the scene of its activities to Africa. The Secretary said that perhaps Africa could find some helpful guidance in the Latin American experience as to how it should comport itself to withstand the Soviet threat.

Vice President Tolbert expressed his appreciation of these observations. He reiterated that Liberia remains dedicated to her ties with the West and her desire to withstand the evil influences of Soviet imperialism. He recalled that during his meeting with the President, the latter had inquired as to whether there are any Liberian products for which no market can be found in the West. Mr. Tolbert said that at that time he had neglected to mention to the President the problem of palm oil, which Liberia used to sell in Western Europe but which is now being replaced by Nigerian and French West African sources. Mr Tolbert expressed the hope that the United States could look into the matter of assisting Liberia to dispose of this commodity. The Secretary said that we would be glad to look into the possibilities.

The Vice President said that there was one more matter he would like to mention. He pointed out that Liberia is a founding member of the United Nations and that it has always aspired to hold a high post in that organization. Speaking quite frankly, he thought that the United States had not given Liberia the support which the close relations between the two countries would seem to call for.⁴ He mentioned somewhat vaguely an incident in which Liberia had been defeated by Italy for an important UN post. The Secretary laughingly pointed out that when Liberia took on Italy, with the great Latin American support which the latter usually enjoys, it was really tackling some stiff opposition. He said that this Government would, nevertheless, bear the Vice President’s comments in mind.

Before taking his departure, Vice President Tolbert said he wished to express his gratitude for the U.S. Technical Assistance Programs in Liberia which he thought were making an excellent contribution to the development of the country. He said that his government is naturally impatient to push on with essential development. The Secretary said that he was glad to hear that our aid programs were effectively contributing to the growth of the country. He warned against proceeding too rapidly, citing Turkey as a case where the rate” of development appears to have outstripped the capacity of the economy to absorb it.

In concluding the conversation, the Secretary recalled with pleasure the visit of President Tubman two years ago and asked the Vice President to relay to the President his very sincere best wishes.

Note: During the course of the foregoing conversation, the Secretary promised to send the Vice fresident copies of the Caracas Resolution and the special UN Report on Hungary. This material is being assembled for despatch through the Liberian Embassy.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.7611/7–157. Confidential. Drafted by Palmer.
2. See supra.
3. Reference is to Resolution 93, “Declaration of Solidarity for the Preservation of the Political Integrity of the American States Against the Intervention of International Communism”, passed at the Tenth Inter-American Conference at Caracas in March 1954. Documentation on this subject is in Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. iv, pp. 264 ff.
4. Liberia had been particularly anxious to gain U.S. support for its efforts to win a seat on the Trusteeship Council. Documentation is in Department of State, Central File 350.