121. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State1
New
York, January 7,
1960—6 p.m.
575. Re: African Group.
- 1.
- Growing importance of African group in UN, with expected admission during 1960 of four new states, and tendency of Africans (including Liberia and Ethiopia to increasing degree) toward “neutralism” pose important problems for US in coming years. One key problem is to assure as effective a pro-Western leadership within African group as possible.
- 2.
- Most likely state to assume this role is Tunisia. Tunisia has highly pro-Western orientation. Tunisian Del is of unusually high caliber. Tunisia is SC member and served on Hungarian and Laos committees. It already plays role of leadership on African issues (such as Algeria). In consequence it seems to us that Tunisia is natural leader and we should consciously utilize opportunities available to increase Tunisian influence within African Group.
- 3.
- Anticipated admission of new African members this year is one such opportunity. Tunisia is already thinking about its role in this regard as African member of SC. For example, in discussing membership for new African states with us yesterday, Mestiri (Tunisia) said he believed that with regard to Cameroun, Tunisia should be included as sponsor in SC along with France and Asian country such as Ceylon. Applications other African countries, he thought, could be similarly handled by SC as they became independent.
- 4.
- We recognize difficulty of pushing Tunisia out ahead of former administering powers in initiating SC and GA action. However, Tunisia as African member SC has logical claim to be included and to assume prominent role. We think we should informally encourage Tunisians to take lead in assuring SC mtgs are called promptly, to join as sponsors and otherwise to exercise leadership on behalf Africans as their memberships come before UN. We believe this be suitable way to enhance already key position of Tunisia.
- 5.
- Africans can also be expected to put forward candidate for GA Presidency in near future, possibly for 1961. We believe Slim (Tunisia) recognized among African reps as ablest rep in regular group, and would be most likely candidate. From US point of view he has always been cooperative and friendly. Given possibility Soviet bloc may well be contestant for GA Presidency in 1961 (assuming Boland elected this year), we should begin without committing ourselves to insure strong and appealing candidate in a position to counter Soviets. Slim is most likely to be able to do this, without saying anything about possibility his being candidate, our conscious support of Tunisia along lines paragraph 4 above and otherwise as possible would also help put him in favorable position to be African candidate. (Mistiri told us yesterday there is possibility Slim might return to Tunisia to take “new position in govt” after Tunisian term on SC is completed. This would not be until after next GA, and should not be obstacle to his candidacy at 16th GA in view his long service at UN. If he became FonMin it might, in fact, enhance it.)
- 6.
- We are hopeful other steps can be taken, especially with Cameroun and Nigeria, to assure that new African states do not follow neutralist line during their first GA and thus establish voting pattern for future. We believe special efforts warranted by Dept in both countries prior next GA to seek persuade them vote with West on as many issues as possible. Cameroun, for example, should be urged to vote for Boland as GA Pres. Cameroun likely to be admitted by then and Ahidjo should remember Boland well, as he was chairman 4th Committee when Cameroun issue debated.
- 7.
- Unless Dept objects we plan proceed regarding Tunisia along lines paragraphs 4 and 5 this telegram.2
Barco