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

637. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations¹

Washington, April 28, 1967, 8:47 p.m.

179410. Subj: South West Africa: Dialogue. Ref: Dept’s 153195;² Capetown’s 1081, 1079.³

1. After handing Asst. Sec. Sisco Aide-Memoire, April 20, 1967 (reported septel),⁴ Amb. Taswell recounted South Africa’s legal position re GA res on SWA and practical problems involved in implementation of the resolution. He then called attention to and laid heavy stress on following para of aide-memoire: “The South African Government is willing to discuss with any other genuinely interested government the problem of development in South West Africa provided that government is prepared in good faith to make a constructive contribution to such discussions and is not solely looking for ways and means of implementing the recent General Assembly resolution.”

2. Sisco noted and Ambassador Taswell confirmed that the formulation contained above para meant discussions without preconditions and did not exclude discussion of the implementation of recent UN resolution.

3. Asst. Sec. Sisco welcomed Taswell’s confirmation and recalled that in earlier approach he had urged conversations along these lines as the only means of achieving common objective of peaceful solution. He also welcomed South African Prime Minister Muller’s affirmation that South Africa recognized an international status for SWA and the right of the people to self-determination. (Capetown’s 1079) Mr. Sisco stated that US, of course, did not agree with South Africa’s definition of self-determination but that it was not necessary to agree on substantive points of this kind prior to unconditional discussions. What was important was that unconditional talks begin in effort to find a peaceful solution to SWA problem.

4. Sisco then stated that the US viewed with concern stories reported in South African newspapers re proposed dialogue. (Capetown’s 1081) In US view such stories were injurious to establishment of a dialogue since they in effect publicly laid down conditions for discussions and would place US and others in very difficult position publicly. Minister Botha replied that South Africa had had inquiries in Washington prior to appearance of stories in Capetown. Taswell denied government responsibility pointing out stories were in opposition press. He could understand US concern but because stories appeared in opposition press he did not attach much importance to them. He said he would seek clarification from his Govt.

5. Sisco stated US would study the aide-memoire and would make prompt reply.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 19 SW AFR/UN. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by IO/UNP Officer in Charge of Dependent Area Affairs Donald McHenry; cleared by Brown of UNP and Clark; and approved by Sisco. Also sent to Cape Town, and repeated to Pretoria, London, Rome, and Ottawa.
2. Dated March 10. (Ibid., POL 19 SW AFR)
3. Both dated April 20. (Ibid., POL 19 SW AFR/UN)
4. Telegram 179411 to USUN, April 20. (Ibid.)