Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, United Nations and General International Matters, Volume II

46. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in France¹

Washington, November 28, 1958—7:34 p.m.

1967. You should endeavor see Foreign Minister Couve de Murville immediately (unless you believe Cornut-Gentille² could be more effective) and discuss question Guinea along following lines:

We are most concerned by likely prospect Guinea will press for UN membership this session in conflict with present French position. Diallo scheduled have talks in Department Monday, December 1, and at that time we shall strongly urge him defer requesting membership this session.³ However, on basis Diallo’s talks London (London 2910 to Department, repeated 403 to Paris⁴) we are not at all sanguine our arguments will have any effect.

Under circumstances it seems highly likely that Diallo will permit in applying for UN membership at beginning next week and that issue may be posed before Security Council immediately thereafter.

While we have not decided what our position will be in such eventuality, we frankly see serious difficulties for US abstain. In this connection French have so far failed to give us memorandum setting forth legal basis their views as promised by Alphand to Secretary. (Alphand told Secretary today he hoped be able to give memo to Dept. December 1.⁵) At same time we look with grave concern at possibility US voting differently from France in SC on issue of importance to France. However, it seems unlikely irrespective US vote there would be sufficient abstentions SC to prevent Guinea’s admission in any case.

If Western powers should abstain or even if friendly SC members fail to sponsor Guinea’s request this will be exploited by elements unfriendly US and France, and Guinea’s admission will appear to be obtained solely through Soviet and Afro-Asian efforts. Repercussions of this on Guinea in particular and Africa in general could be serious for overall Western interests.

We would accordingly hope that French Government would urgently reconsider its position at highest level carefully weighing all factors involved. It is essential for future orientation Guinea and latter’s relations with West that French influence that country be maintained. It is accordingly our strong hope that French may yet find it possible or at least agree to sponsor Guinea’s admission UN next week.⁶

Dulles

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/1–2758. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by EUR/WE; cleared by Ferguson, Cargo, and Walmsley; and approved by Jandrey who signed for Dulles. Repeated to London and USUN.
2. Bernard Cornut-Gentille, Minister for Overseas France.
3. No records of these meetings have been found.
4. Telegram 2910, November 27, reported on Diallo’s conversations with British officials regarding Guinea’s admission to the United Nations and its relationship to France. (Department of State, Central Files, 310.2/11–2758)
5. In a December 1 meeting at the Department, De la Grandville confirmed that the copy of a draft speech on Guinea which he had given McBride on November 28 constituted the French Government’s legal views on the issue. (Memorandum of conversation; ibid., 310.2/12–158) No copy of the speech has been found, but Tosec 2 to Mexico City, December 1, transmitted its text to Dulles. (ibid., 330/12–158)
6. Telegram 2017 to Paris, November 29, reported that Couve de Murville had “stated categorically” France’s refusal to support Guinea’s application for U.N. membership before bilateral arrangements were completed between the two countries. These arrangements, he continued, could not be finished before the current General Assembly session ended. (ibid., 310.2/11–2958)