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

304. Memorandum of a Conversation, Cape Town, May 15, 1956¹

Cape Town, May 15, 1956

PARTICIPANTS

• The Honorable George V. Allen, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian and African Affairs
• The Honorable F.C. Erasmus, Minister of Defense
• Ambassador Edward T. Wailes
• Mr. William M. Johnson

After a preliminary exchange of courtesies, Defense Minister Erasmus raised two defense matters of immediate concern: (1) his wish for an advance commitment by the United States to provide South Africa with the most modern jet fighters in the event of war; and (2) his request for a United States team of radar experts to advise South Africa in an early-warning defense system.

In raising point (1), Mr. Erasmus said that South Africa could not afford to maintain an up-to-date fleet of modern military aircraft during time of peace due to the rapid rate of obsolescence. He recalled that he had therefore asked, while in Washington,² that the United States consider continuing the former “Korean type of agreement” under which South Africa paid in full for all damage done to American equipment used by the South African Air Force. He added that his staff was currently working on South African requirements under such a program for submission to the American authorities. Mr. Allen indicated that the request would continue to receive careful consideration in Washington.

In raising point (2), Mr. Erasmus said that South Africa had already received the cooperation of Britain and Portugal in studying an early-warning defense system for southern Africa. He said Britain had permitted South Africa to survey sites in Bechuanaland and Swaziland and that he hoped South Africa would be allowed the same privilege in Basutoland. But he “didn’t know”. Portugal had sent a mission of two technicians to South Africa. Mr. Erasmus said he was anxious to carry out the plan over a five-year period. Mr. Allen replied that when he had left Washington final approval of South Africa’s request for the dispatch of a five-man radar team appeared to be only two or three weeks away.³

Mr. Erasmus then discussed South Africa’s general defense outlook. He said he thought the West’s collective security system had its only gap in Africa, where there was no formal defense alignment. He expressed favor for South Africa’s being associated in some way, if not integrally, with NATO. He stated South Africa’s present activity, in conjunction with Britain, in arranging a “sea route” conference, probably to be held in Europe, and a defense conference of those countries represented at the Dakar and Nairobi discussions.⁴ He mentioned South Africa’s participation in joint naval maneuvers with French and British units.

Mr. Erasmus said South Africa planned to equip one armored division for use outside its borders in wartime. He outlined South Africa’s eight-year naval build-up program. To Mr. Allen’s question, Mr. Erasmus said South Africa had conscription, but that it still relied on volunteers for service outside the Union.

Mr. Allen spoke on United States defense interests and activities in the Near East and Africa. He said the United States had recognized the new Sudan government and was closely watching developments there.⁵ He spoke of United States military bases in North Africa and gave an indication of their strength. He said he favored South Africa’s display of initiative in defense planning in Africa, felt South Africa and the United States had mutual interests, and expressed his feeling that “one leak (one gap in the defense system) could sink the boat”.

Mr. Allen said that Mr. Erasmus’ visit to the United States last year served to increase the interest there in South Africa’s position.

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 110.15–AL/5–2456. Secret. Enclosure to despatch 53 from Cape Town, May 24. Drafted by Wailes and Johnson.
2. See Document 302.
3. Allen had written to Gordon Gray on February 6 to indicate that compliance with the South African request “would be in accord with our foreign policy objectives.” (Department of State, Central Files, 745A.5/1–1756)
4. The United States had had observers at both the Nairobi discussions of August 1951 and the March 1954 West African Defense Facilities Conference at Dakar. For documentation, see Foreign Relations, 1952–1954, vol. xi, Part 1, pp. 90 ff.
5. The United States recognized Sudan’s independence on January 2, 1956.