58. Editorial Note
On April 27, 1960, the Republic of Togo became independent. A message from President Eisenhower to Prime Minister Sylvanus Olympio, April 18, extended U.S. greetings and congratulations, remarked on U.S. pride and satisfaction with the successful conclusion of another United Nations Trusteeship, and declared that the United States looked forward to close and friendly relations. (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, Project Clean Up, Africa—Republics) The message was delivered by Attorney General William P. Rogers, who represented the President at the independence ceremonies. (Memorandum from Acting Secretary of State Livingston T. Merchant to the President, April 16, 1960; ibid.) On April 27, the Department of State announced the elevation of the consulate at Lomé to an embassy, with Consul Jesse MacKnight as Chargé d’Affaires; for text of the announcement, see Department of State Bulletin, May 16, 1960, page 806. For further information, see 2 Whiteman 227–228. The first Ambassador to Togo, Leland Barrows, resident at Yaoundé, presented his credentials on August 22.