Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

459. Circular Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Zambia¹

Washington, April 5, 1965, 5:42 p.m.

1878. Ref: Lusaka tel 1232. Following summary of agreements reached at US–UK London talks re Rhodesia-Zambia relations and related Southern African issues² should be useful as background info in planning regional meeting suggested reftel:

Rhodesia and Zambia

Agreed there were great difficulties bringing about the kind of solution which we and Africans would like to see, and danger of UDI had to be guarded against at every turn. Following suggestions were made as possibly helpful lines of action:

1. President Kaunda (and perhaps other African leaders) should at right time be encouraged use his influence with African Nationalists in Rhodesia to respond favorably to any initiative which looked as though might hold out hope resolving constitutional deadlock.

2. Any information effort open to us should be made to try persuade Europeans in Rhodesia all was not chaos and communism in black north.

Agreed two Governments should urgently concert together on further enquiries suggested into means protecting Zambia against consequences of UDI.

Education in Southern Africa

Various efforts to improve educational opportunities in Southern Africa noted: UN proposal for education of South Africans, US efforts with respect refugees from South Africa; Southwest Africa, Southern Rhodesia and Portuguese territories and UK efforts, assisted by US, in HCT’s.

Agreed this was extremely important long-term effort and both governments should examine carefully what additional efforts could be made. UK agreed to see whether it could take even few refugee students from Portuguese territories. Both parties agreed give further consideration to UN project for education of Southern Africans, with thought this might be expanded to include Africans from other parts of Southern Africa. Attention also directed to efforts presently being made in HCT’s territories, with general understanding these continued be worthy sympathetic consideration.

General Approach to Southern African Problems

In view intractibility Rhodesian problem and line which we were bound take over sanctions on South Africa, agreed further thought should be given to following suggestions for broad approach to problems of Southern Africa, with view to reducing tensions, buying time for ourselves and meantime giving African governments positive indication our interest in their problems and their future:

1. Discussions might be opened with selected Governments in Eastern Africa on broad handling of whole situation south Zambesi on basis neither US nor UK prepared see Rhodesian problem settled by military force nor apply economic sanctions to South Africa, short of violation of ICJ decision;

2. Desirability introducing into talks of this kind prospect of developing transportation links between Zambia and Tanzania, as something positive on which we might help;

3. Drawing on broad spectrum of sources (perhaps consortium of private companies IBRD, ECA et al) we should explore possibility developing assistance package of such attractiveness it would encourage countries on borders of southern Africa turn from difficult political problem of southern Africa to strengthening of their own countries.

Separate telegram follows with Department comments on other points raised reftel.

Copies entire conclusions being pouched soonest.

Ball

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL RHOD–ZAMBIA. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Mulcahy on April 1–2; cleared by MacKnight, Judd, and Fredericks; and approved by Williams. Also sent to Dar-es-Salaam, Kampala, Nairobi, and Salisbury.
2. The U.S.-U.K. talks on Africa took place in London, March 22–24. The discussion of Southern Rhodesia and Zambia on March 23 is recorded in a memorandum of conversation ibid., POL UK-US.