315. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Guinea 0

21. Diallo expressed great concern to Department last evening over April 4 New York Times story of Czech arms shipment particularly part reading “Both at the Pentagon and in the State Department there are experts who wish some new initiative in West Africa could be developed soon particularly in view of the Guinea situation. Experts in several branches are studying developments. However US military officials have not dealt with the subject as a matter for immediate action. There have been no meetings of the Joint Chiefs of Staff nor any Pentagon-State Department consultations in this respect.”

Diallo interpreted word “action” to connote possibly military action and said this would create serious repercussions in Conakry.

Department officials explained nature of free press to Diallo and said article in no way represented views of US Government. Department doubted use of word “action” by Times reporter referred to military action. In any event there is no military aspect to current US policies with respect to Guinea.

Department told Diallo however while US officials familiar with situation might be able understand Guinea’s willingness accept aid from all sources US press and public opinion were bound to interpret receipt of large number Czech arms as contrary to interests American people and Free World. Diallo replied that although he had no precise information he strongly doubted Czech arms shipment anything like as great as that reported in press.

Department will leave to your discretion best means of handling Times story in Conakry but at some stage conversation with Toure himself would seem warranted.1

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770B.56/4–759. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Ferguson, cleared by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Edwin M.J. Kretzmann and Public Affairs Adviser for African Affairs Rupert Prohme, and approved by Ferguson.
  2. Rinden reported in airgram 2 from Conakry, April 10, that he had not discussed this with Touré. He thought the “ruckus over the Czech arms” had been a “salutary lesson,” and neither reassurances nor reiteration would be useful. Furthermore, he commented, because of Toure’s resentment of the delay in U.S. recognition, establishment of diplomatic relations, and appointment of an ambasssador, and the disappointment of his “apparent expectation” that the United States would hasten to compete with the Soviet Union in offering economic aid to Guinea, “U.S. diplomatists are not in a very graceful position when it comes to volunteering advice.” (Ibid., 770B.56/4–1059)