Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Africa, Volume XIV

317. Memorandum From Secretary of State Herter to President Eisenhower⁰

April 24, 1959.

SUBJECT

• Proposed Visit of the President of Guinea

Recent developments in the relations of Guinea and the Soviet bloc countries are causing serious concern. Since September 28, 1958, when Guinea attained independence by her vote in the French referendum, the Soviet Union and bloc countries have been actively wooing her by the signing of trade, cultural and educational agreements. This has culminated in a Czech arms gift and the assignment of Soviet, Bulgarian and Czech representatives in Guinea.

Because of conditions in Guinea, President Sekou Toure was forced to defer an invitation to visit Washington unoffically in connection with his planned attendance at the last session of the United Nations General Assembly.¹ President Toure has, through his Ambassador-designate, indicated his intention to visit the United Nations General Assembly during its next session in September of this year. I believe that the extension of an invitation from you to President Toure for an official visit to the United States at the same time would be most effective in counteracting the rapidly developing communist influence in Guinea.

It is suggested that President Toure be invited to spend three days in Washington at the President’s Guest House and be a guest of the Government for an additional week for visiting other parts of the United States. I believe that you will be involved personally to the extent of meeting President Toure at the Airport, if his visit occurs during the appropriate months, serving as host at a luncheon during his first full day in Washington, and possibly receiving President Toure for an office call at the White House during the visit. If it is your wish, Sekou Toure would be advised that it is not necessary for him to give a return luncheon or dinner for you.

I also recommend that, if convenient, your official airplane be made available to transport President Toure from New York City to Washington on arrival and that you request the Secretary of Defense to furnish suitable aircraft for the transportation of the President and his party within the continental United States on a non-reimbursable basis, as being in the national interest.

The Guinean Ambassador-designate to the United States, Mr. Telli Diallo, is scheduled to present his credentials to you at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 27. The following day he is returning to Guinea for consultation with his Government. I believe that a most favorable psychological impact would be produced within the Government of Guinea if, on that occasion, you were able to informally advise Ambassador Diallo of your intention to issue a formal invitation to President Toure to visit the United States. The Ambassador could be told that arrangements concerning the date of the visit and other matters would be worked out through normal diplomatic channels.

Both Bob Murphy and I feel that in the category of official visits this one deserves priority consideration over any others that have yet come to our attention.²

Christian A. Herter³

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770B.11/4–2459. Drafted by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs James K. Penfield and Ware.
1. Telegram 298 from Dakar, February 13, reported that Touré planned to leave Conakry for New York on February 18. (Ibid., 770B.11/2–1359) Rinden reported further concerning his plans in despatch 1 from Conakry (see footnote 2, Document 314). Telegram 2 to Conakry, February 18, authorized Rinden to invite Touré to visit Washington unofficially in connection with his visit to New York, and despatch 4 from Conakry, February 20, reported that he had accepted. (Department of State, Central Files, 770B.11/2–1859 and 770B.11/2–2059, respectively) Despatch 10 from Conakry, March 4, reported that Touré had decided to defer his trip until the fall session of the General Assembly. (Ibid., 770B.11/3–459)

2. A handwritten note on the source text states that the visit was approved but with different timing. Telegram 37 to Conakry, May 5, instructed Rinden to extend an invitation from Eisenhower to Touré to make a State visit to the United States in late October. (Ibid., 770B.11/5–559)

   The last sentence was added later, apparently by Herter.

3. Printed from a copy that bears this stamped signature.