Office of the Historian

312. Memorandum From Secretary of State Dulles to President Eisenhower0

October 31, 1958.

SUBJECT

  • Recognition of the Republic of Guinea

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, in telegraphic messages to you on October 2 and October 13, requested recognition by the United States. The French Government has reluctantly given qualified concurrence to the recognition of Guinea by powers friendly to France. France urges that these powers refrain from establishing [Page 680] diplomatic relations with Guinea at present. The French have also requested assistance in delaying Guinea’s entry into the United Nations Organization.

I am informed that a telegram of recognition of Guinea as an independent state will be sent to Prime Minister Sekou Toure by Harold Macmillan on Nov. 1.1

I recommend that the United States now extend recognition to the Republic of Guinea and that this be accomplished by dispatch of the enclosed message from you to Prime Minister Sekou Toure. If you approve this message, I recommend that you authorize release of the text of the message upon receipt of confirmation of delivery.2

I further recommend that the question of establishment of diplomatic relations with Guinea be held in abeyance for the time being. We plan to consult with the United Kingdom and France to determine what practical steps might be taken to dissuade Guinea from requesting admission to the United Nations during the current session.

JFD
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770B.02/10–3158. Secret. Drafted by Canup. A note on the source text in Dulles’ handwriting dated October 31 states: “Communicated by phone to President & approved by him. JFD.”↩
  2. The words “on Nov. 1” are in Dulles’ handwriting; the words “in the near future” were crossed out.↩
  3. For text of the message, dated November 1, see Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1958, p. 826.↩