Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

632. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in South Africa¹

Washington, February 12, 1967, 8:09 p.m.

135747. Ref: Capetown 783.²

1. Reuters reports Sword Knot Captain Yates stated on radio-telephone interview tonight (Sunday) that he is sailing in to Durban Monday or Tuesday. Reporter quotes Yates as saying he is taking decision himself after waiting five days for diplomatic clearance.

2. MSTS sending Captain urgent orders not to enter Durban until he receives clearance and instructions from Washington.

3. If Emb is in contact or can establish contact with Sword Knot, it should repeat warning to Captain to stand by and not enter Durban unless and until he receives positive instructions through USG channels.³

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, DEF 7 S AFR–US. Confidential; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Clark; cleared by Palmer, Morris, and Coward; and approved by A. Hugh Douglas of S/S–O. Sent to Cape Town, and repeated to Pretoria and Durban, and to DOD.
2. Telegram 783 from Cape Town, February 10, reported that a Military Sea Transport Service ship, the Sword Knot, had been off Durban since February 8 awaiting diplomatic clearance. (Ibid.)
3. Telegram 136558 to Cape Town, February 14, instructed the Embassy to inform the South African Government that, in light of the present intensity of anti-apartheid sentiment generated in the United States by the FDR visit, the U.S. Government might decide not to use the Durban facilities and send the ship to another destination instead. (Ibid.) Telegram 137419 to Cape Town, February 15, reported that the Department of Defense had issued orders to Sword Knot not to enter Durban but to proceed to Mombasa, Kenya. (Ibid.)