Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XXI, Africa

405. Telegram From the Embassy in South Africa to the Department of State⁰

Cape Town, June 10, 1963, 4 p.m.

171. Reference: Embassy telegrams 142, 145 and 170.¹ In view implied threats made by Prime Minister in my conversation with him May 13, aide-memoire handed me June 7 by Foreign Secretary Jooste on subject our multi-racial July 4 receptions is surprisingly moderate. Possibly SAG after considering problem has decided react moderately rather than violently to our proposed receptions. For example Jooste indicated SAG not concerned about possibility our inadvertently inviting subversive guests. Aide-memoire’s last paragraph is particularly intriguing.

Only time will tell whether our diplomatic reception will be completely or partially boycotted by SAG and whether government will in fact take steps prevent multi-racial receptions in future. Prime Minister indicated this might depend on instructions Sir Hugh Stephenson, new British Ambassador, may have received. Latter arrived June 6 and pre-sents credentials today. I will inquire earliest opportunity whether either Prime Minister or Foreign Minister has discussed this question with him.

In view fact AG knows we are carrying out our plans hold multi-racial receptions we do not necessarily have to answer June 7 aide-memoire. I recommend however that as matter of courtesy I hand Jooste aide-memoire along following lines:

“My government has carefully considered views of your government set forth in aide-memoire which you handed me June 7 from which it is clear that our two governments are confronted with a difference of opinion on the subject of multi-racial receptions in celebration of our Independence Day which seems irreconcilable at this time.

As you know, my government has decided, in the light of its convictions and practices on the question of official multi-racial entertaining (which conform with those of practically all other countries of the world) that our “customs and conventions rather than yours should henceforth be observed by the American Embassy and consulates in South Africa with regard to the celebration of our Independence Day.”

In delivering this aide-memoire I would point out orally that our plans to hold a diplomatic reception on the morning of July 4 would seem to relieve the SAG of the difficulty of being “a party to a deliberate breach of the customs and conventions of this country by the Embassy of the United States” and that it is in fact for this very reason that we are giving such a reception.²

Satterthwaite

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 17-4 US-S AFR. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Pretoria, London, Durban, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth.
1. Telegram 142, May 14; telegram 145, May 16; and telegram 170, June 8, are all ibid.
2. On June 11, the Department of State cabled Satterthwaite that his proposed aide-memoire was approved. (Telegram 107 to Cape Town; ibid.) On July 5, the Ambassador reported that multi-racial 4th of July receptions had been held as planned at all posts in South Africa, with no unpleasant incidents, good attendance, and highly favorable reactions in various quarters. He noted, however, that the South African Government had sent no representative to his morning reception in Pretoria. (Telegram 25 from Pretoria; ibid.)