Office of the Historian

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

Washington, June 1971.

[Omitted here is a title page.]

Botswana: Policy Planning Paper

A. U.S. Interests in Botswana

1.
Botswana, as a stable nation based on racial equality, led by a highly-respected President, and serving as a bridge between white-dominated Africa and black Africa, is an influence for moderation and evolution away from racial repression and minority white rule in southern Africa.
2.
American Metal Climax holds a major share in a copper/nickel mining venture in which about $100 million are expected to be invested. U.S. Steel has a substantial interest in a prospecting company looking for additional ore deposits.
3.
Although U.S. trade is negligible, Botswana has commercially exploitable deposits of copper, nickel, diamonds, manganese, antimony, and sulphur which could become important for the United States.

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, the UN, and the IBRD as major sources of economic and technical assistance as well as increased assistance from other western countries.
4.
Expanded political and economic relations with black Africa, in particular Zambia and East Africa.
5.
Completion of the Shashe Complex Project and the successful launching of the mining industry based on it.
6.
Improvement of the road link with Zambia.
7.
Continued pro-western orientation and support for U.S. positions in international bodies.
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C. Botswana’s Objectives Vis-à-Vis the United States

U.S. assistance in:

1.
Developing a prosperous economy, with maximum benefits for all the population.
2.
Achieving a modern democratic and efficient government (national and local) and a modern social structure which will also preserve important traditional values and characteristics.
3.

Rapid development of technical and academic education and a substantial rise in the general educational level of the population.

U.S. support for:

4.
Obtaining as much political and economic independence from South Africa as possible.
5.
Achievement of racial equality throughout southern Africa.
6.
Securing the respect of black African states for Botswana’s independence and their appreciation of the unique problems it faces with respect to South Africa.

D. Recommended Courses of Action

1.
Provide U.S. loan assistance for the construction phase of the Botswana-Zambia road and attempt to obtain the participation of other donors.
2.
Study, in conjunction with the IBRD, possible multi-donor assistance to Botswana’s ranching/livestock scheme and the plan to build a northern abbatoir.
3.
Encourage other donors or private sources to investigate ways to provide direct air services among the BLS countries and other nearby countries.
4.
Continue the Peace Corps program.
5.
Assist the GOB in implementing its population planning program as appropriate.
6.
Send GOB police officials for training in the United States under the Africa Regional Project for Public Safety Training.
7.
Identify key younger government officials and politicians and expand leader grants to them.
8.
Increase assistance to the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland to include support for new campuses in Botswana and Swaziland.
9.
Encourage U.S. business interest in Botswana, making maximum use of OPIC.
10.
Utilize other African country facilities for specialized training for Botswana manpower requirements.
11.
Maintain a small information and cultural program.
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1970–73, POL 1 BOTSWANA–US. Secret; Noforn.↩