Office of the Historian

160. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions1

Washington, September 13, 1960—4:05 p.m.

395. Depcirtel 341.2 In view developments subsequent sending reftel, including Congo, President has decided would be advisable for him address opening session UNGA despite his earlier disinclination speak at that time.3 However, he will return immediately thereafter to Washington without becoming involved in any contact with Khrushchev and leave Secretary Herter responsible, as originally intended, for directing participation in work of UNGA. Announcement this effect will be made just prior Secretary’s press conference tomorrow morning September 14 at eleven o’clock.4

Missions (in absence important local factors dictating otherwise as specified reftel) should approach local governments as soon as possible after announcement and explain reason for change of President’s [Page 318] plans as given above. You should add that decision make opening statement in no way alters our view that Heads of Government and Chiefs of State should avoid enhancing Khrushchev’s efforts utilize UNGA for own ends by lending their presence to debate at UNGA.

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 320/9–1360. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Hare; cleared by Satterthwaite, Wilcox, Berding, Jones, Parsons, Stoessel, and Merchant, and in substance with the White House; noted by Kohler; and approved and signed by Herter. Sent to all American diplomatic posts except Moscow, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, New Delhi, and Habana; and repeated to the latter eight posts.↩
  2. See footnote 1, Document 151.↩
  3. For Eisenhower’s account of this decision, see Waging Peace, 1956–1961, pp. 577–578.↩
  4. For text of the White House announcement, see Department of State Bulletin, October 3, 1960, p. 515. The transcript of Herter’s press conference is ibid., pp. 515–520.↩