Office of the Historian

335. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom0

Washington, January 7, 1963, 4:06 p.m.

3518. Southern Rhodesian situation following December elections1 causing Department serious concern in view probable adverse impact on long range U.S., UK and Western interests. Moreover, probability early consideration Southern Rhodesia Question at UN by Committee of 24 prompts urgent reassessment U.S. position and tactics.

Dept requests Embassy (a) inform HMG at high level extent U.S. concern, (b) obtain comprehensive and authoritative UK assessment post-election situation in Southern Rhodesia and (c) provide indication how UK plans deal with it with particular emphasis on SYG’s good offices and stance UK will take on Southern Rhodesia item when next raised at UN.2

Ball
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 745C.00/1-763. Confidential. Drafted by Mulcahy on January 4; cleared by Goldstein, Wallner, and Chapin; and approved by Mac-Knight. Repeated to Salisbury and USUN.↩
  2. Prime Minister Sir Edgar Whitehead was voted out of office in the December 14 election, which was won by Winston Field’s Rhodesian Front party.↩
  3. On January 9, Ambassador Bruce responded that the Minister for Central African Affairs, R.A. Butler, would most likely want to postpone a comprehensive assessment and discussion of the U.K. stance in the United Nations until after he completed his forthcoming visit to Central Africa. (Telegram 2555 from London, January 9; Department of State, Central Files, 745C.00/1-963)↩