Office of the Historian

52. Paper Prepared by the National Security Council Interdepartmental Group for Africa1

Washington, June 1971.

[Omitted here is a title page.]

Swaziland: Policy Planning Paper

A. U.S. Interests in Swaziland

1.
Swaziland, as a stable nation based on racial equality and in close contact with its white-dominated neighbors, is an influence for moderation and evolution away from racial repression and minority white rule in southern Africa.
2.
Total direct U.S. investment in Swaziland is relatively quite small. There is a U.S.-owned fruit canning factory (Libby), and construction is about to begin on a U.S.-owned radio station.
3.
Swaziland is of negligible importance to the United States as a supplier, although it is the world’s fifth largest exporter of asbestos and also exports iron ore and coal.

B. U.S. Objectives Over the Next Five Years

1.
Optimum political independence and stable relations with South Africa.
2.
Economic development and viability.
3.
Continuation of the UK and the UN as major sources of economic and technical assistance as well as increased assistance from the IBRD and other western countries.
4.
Expanded relations with the states of black Africa.
5.
Continued pro-western orientation and support for U.S. positions in international bodies.

C. Swaziland’s Objectives Vis-à-Vis the United States

U.S. assistance in achieving:

1.
A prosperous economy with maximum benefits for all the population.
2.

Rapid development of technical and academic education.

U.S. support for:

3.
Increased political and economic independence from South Africa.
4.
The achievement of racial equality throughout southern Africa.
5.
Securing the respect of black African states for Swaziland’s independence and their appreciation of the unique problems it faces with regard to South Africa.

D. Recommended Courses of Action

1.
Conclude and implement the proposed loan of $2.2 million to the Swazi Government to be used in conjunction with British financing on agricultural development projects. Provide technical assistance to the Rural Development Areas program in conjunction with the AID agricultural equipment loan and British assistance.
2.
Continue to encourage private U.S. industry to invest in Swaziland, making maximum use of OPIC.
3.
Encourage other donors or private sources to investigate ways to develop direct air services among the BLS countries and other nearby countries.
4.
Continue the Peace Corps program.
5.
Identify key younger government officials and politicians and expand leader grants to them.
6.
Seek to exert a liberalizing influence on the present establishment to counter the trend toward alienation of young educated persons and the growing labor force in the money economy.
7.
Continue—and expand if possible—present programs for educational and technical assistance and training.
8.
Increase Swaziland’s U.S. sugar quota.
9.
Maintain a small information and cultural program.
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 SWAZ–US. Secret; Noforn.↩