Office of the Historian

228. Memorandum From the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern, South Asian, and African Affairs (Rountree) to the Secretary of State1

Washington, April 27, 1957.

SUBJECT

  • Richards Mission—Sudan, April 20–222

In preparation for the Richards Mission visit the Sudan Council of Ministers met to discuss our Middle East proposals on April 17, when differences developed between the principal partners of the coalition. The Prime Minister and others advocated acceptance while three pro-Egyptian Ministers argued that this would weaken the neutrality policy of the Sudan.

Ambassador Richards on his arrival in Khartoum found the political atmosphere uncertain, with Nasser agents active and making a special effort to forestall approval of the American Doctrine. His discussions with a group headed by the Foreign Minister brought a series of questions, which he answered, a statement of the Cabinet’s understanding of his answers, and a final declaration that the Council of Ministers “prefer at the present time to refrain from taking any resolution accepting or rejecting such aid; it will continue its study of the matter and let its decision be known in due course.” In the ensuing discussions the Sudanese assumed that if they reached a decision in a few weeks they could still request aid, but Richards explained that it was most unlikely he could take action after leaving Khartoum.

Ambassador Richards was disappointed but felt that there was nothing further to be done, since it would be unwise to appear to force aid on the Sudanese. He concludes that the country is in relatively good economic condition and is fearful of antagonizing Egypt and other Arab states. The Prime Minister and others friendly to the United States are not prepared for a showdown with the pro-Egyptian minority in the coalition and the Embassy agrees that this would be unwise. Nevertheless Ambassador Richards feels that the Sudan is definitely worth wooing.

  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 120.1580/5–1057. Secret. Drafted by Bliss. Also addressed to the Under Secretary of State.↩
  2. Regarding the Richards Mission visit to the Sudan, see vol. XVIII, pp. 639–643. For text of the joint communiqué issued on April 22 in Khartoum, see Department of State Bulletin, May 13, 1957, p. 764.↩