152. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions1

345. Circular 341.2 While desiring avoid Soviets’ turning UNGA into worldwide “summit,” Department does not wish put pressure on leaders African states, especially new states, not to attend, so long as this is not result Soviet pressure. Posts in dealing with reftel should avoid giving such impression and should indicate African chiefs of state, prime ministers, foreign ministers and others will be most welcome in US, although they may wish weigh benefits obtained by attendance on occasion admission their country to UN against possibility such attendance might be used by Soviets turn session into something highly undesirable from their, as well as our, point of view.

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/9–360. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Green and Ferguson; cleared by AFN and in substance by Kohler; and approved by Penfield who signed for Herter. Sent to 17 posts in Africa. The time of transmission is not legible on the source text.
  2. See footnote 1, supra.