336. Memorandum From the Department of State Executive Secretary (Brubeck) to the President’s Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Bundy)0

SUBJECT

  • Constitutional Advance in Nyasaland

Recent reports suggest that Nyasaland will emerge as an independ-ent nation within a year to a year and a half. Although it is now a British protectorate and one of the three constituent territories of the semi-autonomous Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the groundwork has been laid for rapid constitutional advance this year. On November 23, 1962, the British Government announced agreement to grant self-government to Nyasaland early in 1963. On December 19, 1962, the British Government announced acceptance of the principle of the secession of Nyasaland from the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Our Resident Consul in Nyasaland has reported that on January 30, 1963, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda is expected to become Prime Minister and that simultaneously most, if not all, of the forms of self-government are to be introduced into the territory. Banda has told our Resident Consul that secession would be accomplished during the summer of 1963 and that he had no desire to delay the attainment of full independence from the United Kingdom.

The problems of Nyasaland are great and will continue for decades. Most of the population engages in subsistence agriculture; schools and hospitals are few; the population of nearly three million is relatively dense and steadily growing. Nevertheless, the new African political leadership, headed by Dr. Banda, has resolutely tackled the problems and appears to enjoy the overwhelming and enthusiastic support of the people.

United States operations in Nyasaland are moving forward in accompaniment with the constitutional advance. We are planning to raise the level and capacity of our consular representation in the territory while continuing our modest, but effective, information program. Our AID program, long in the planning stage, is now entering the implementation stage. Obligations in FY 1962 amounted to around $2 million; obligations in FY 1963 and FY 1964 are expected to continue at approximately the same level. Finally, the arrival on January 15 of about 40 Peace [Page 526] Corps Volunteers doubled the number of secondary school teachers in Nyasaland. Partly as a result of our operations and partly as a result of the influence of Dr. Banda, the United States enjoys a favorable reputation in Nyasaland.

Howard Furnas1
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 745C.00/1-2863. Confidential. Cleared by Lennon, MacKnight, Fredericks, Dunham, and Conroy (AID).
  2. Printed from a copy that indicates Furnas signed the original above Brubeck’s typed signature.