469. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate General in Southern Rhodesia1
184. Subject to HMG agreement re timing of delivery following is text oral statement re UDI referred to in Deptel London 1666.2
Congen instructed to request urgent appointment with Primin Smith to deliver following oral message making it clear you are acting on specific instructions. Written record of US statement not to be transmitted.
“The course of events in Southern Rhodesia in recent years has given increasing concern to the Government of the United States. As you know from the official public statements of US officials and from numerous bilateral talks between officials of GSR and US, the United States consistently supported the efforts of Her Majesty’s Government to arrive at a solution to the question of Rhodesia’s future satisfactory to the population of Southern Rhodesia as a whole.
[Page 808]“The pronouncements of Rhodesian officials threatening a unilateral declaration of independence under certain conditions have caused grave concern, not only in the United Kingdom and in Commonwealth countries, but in the United States as well. For many years ties between Southern Rhodesia and the United States have been very close and friendly through war and peace. It would indeed be tragic if these ties were to be severed by an ill-considered and irrevocable unilateral action on the part of your Government. In this connection, it would be a grievous error to assume that the United States could in any way condone an attempt of the Government of S. Rhodesia by unilateral action to deal with such important issues as are involved in the discussions which concern the future of your country.
“The GSR will recall United States public support for Prime Minister Wilson’s October 27, 1964 warning of the disastrous consequences of a unilateral declaration of independence. As you know, the USG supported the Prime Minister’s public reiteration of that warning on April 29, 1965. The United States Government does not intend to deviate from its course of strong support for Her Majesty’s Government’s position now and—if it occurs—after a unilateral declaration of independence.
“At the same time, you are assured, should your Government and Her Majesty’s Government achieve a constitutional solution which is satisfactory to the population of Southern Rhodesia as a whole, the Government of the United States would be prepared to support such a solution through diplomatic channels in international fora and with other governments.”3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 19 RHOD. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Kinsey on September 28; cleared by Fredericks, Runyon, and Judd; and approved by Acting Secretary Ball. Also sent to London for Coote, and repeated to Lusaka and USUN.↩
- Telegram 1666 to London, September 29, stated that unless the British Government raised serious objections, an oral statement on U.S. policy would be delivered to Rhodesian Prime Minister Smith in advance of his departure for the meeting in London. (Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, United Kingdom, Vol. VI, Cables and Memos, 1/65–9/65)↩
- Telegram 1411 from London, September 30, reported that CRO Permanent Under Secretary Savile Garner believed that it would be a mistake to deliver this message, which would infuriate Smith. The ostensible purpose of Smith’s trip was to reach agreement with the United Kingdom, and the U.S. statement assumed in advance that he would fail to do so. Garner suggested that McClelland see Smith before his departure and indicate that the U.S. Government was very concerned about the situation and earnestly hoped that the Rhodesians and the British could find a solution. (Ibid.) Telegram 198 to Salisbury, October 1, stated that the Department was yielding to Garner’s advice, and instructed McClelland to see Smith before his departure if possible and make the points suggested by Garner. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 19 RHOD)↩