31. Editorial Note
On May 17, the Department circulated the text of a proposed message addressed to Ethiopian Foreign Minister Yilma Deressa in his capacity as chairman of the Conference of Independent African States. The draft message reads as follows:
“On behalf of the United States Government I send greetings to the Second Conference of Independent African States, which is now meeting at Addis Ababa. The steady and orderly progress of the peoples of Africa toward self-government is most gratifying. In your efforts at this Conference to help bring peace and prosperity to your continent, you have the best wishes of the Government of the United States.”
The United States viewed the impending conference as “potentially the most effective mechanism for considering African problems and fostering African unity.” (CA–9562; Department of State, Central Files, 770.00/5–1760)
Comments were received from the Embassy in Guinea (telegram 557 from Conakry, May 30; ibid., 770.00/5-3060) and the Embassy in the United Arab Republic (airgram G–271 from Cairo, May 28; ibid., 770.00/5–2860).
The message that Herter sent to Deressa on June 10 reads:
“On behalf of the United States Government I send greetings to the Second Conference of Independent African States, which is now meeting at Addis Ababa. The political progress of the peoples of Africa is most gratifying. This progress represents the steady implementation of the principle of self-determination—a principle that our Government has endorsed throughout its history.
“In your efforts at this Conference to foster peace and prosperity in your Continent, as well as to enhance the contribution of Africa to the peaceful solution of world problems, you have the best wishes and support of the Government of the United States.” (Department of State Bulletin, July 4, 1960, page 23)
The Embassy in Ethiopia’s assessment of the Conference is in despatch 377 from Addis Ababa, June 30. (Department of State, Central Files, 770.00/6–3060)