Documents / FOIA release
This is a compilation of Department of State Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) briefing notes to the Director of INR, mostly dated June 12, 1968, with some from June 6, 1968. The notes cover world events, including student riots in Paris, East German passport and visa rules for West Germans, a UN resolution on South West Africa, a change of Komsomol leadership, Sino-Nepalese relations, and the Colombian presidential resignation crisis. Unrest in Senegal and Somalia is also covered. None of the notes discuss UFOs.
“Cairo”3 pages
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE GIST: SIERRA LEONE: US Amb Recommends Palmer Cancel Visit, following anti-American Press Attacks, Demands GSL Issue Public Charification of its US policy; Palmer Still Undecided TO: The Director, INR DATE: June 6, 1968 TIME: early A.M. SOURCE(S) Class./CONTROL(S) Freetown 1904, 5 June 68 CONFIDENTIAL Despite assuranced received yesterday from Minister of External Affairs, GSL-owned "Daily Mail" published June 5 editorial attacking US Ambassador and Peace Corps. Ambassador Miner has demanded that GSL issue immediately a public clarification of recent anti-American incidents and a statement that it supports and desires continued Peace Corps and other US aid. If GSL does not agree, Amb. reluctantly recommends that Asst. Secy. Palmer cancel his visit scheduled to begin June 6 - today. Freetown 1909, 5 June 68 CONFIDENTIAL No Satisfactory Response from External Affairs as of 1700 GMT Meanwhile, privately managed daily "Unity" carried its second attack on the Peace Corps, again accusing it of connections with US intelligence. Amb. Miner again recommends that Palmer visit be cancelled as sign of US displeasure. Conakry 1768, 5 June 68 CONFIDENTIAL Palmer, in Conakry, concerned (after reception first telegram cited above) that cancellation visit may appear give credence ridiculous charges that Peace Corps associate with American Intelligence Service etc. Considering somewhat delayed and curtailed trip, perhaps to Freetown by Abidjan Air Attache plane, if available. Conakry 1770, 5 June 68 CONFIDENTIAL Palmer discussed situation frankly with Pres. Toure, who is sending his Amb. back to Freetown 6/6 with a message to Siaka. Palmer will stay in Conakry and wait results of this demarche -- hoping to use Abidjan plane to flog leave Conakry 6/7 and fly either to Freetown or Abidjan. INR/RAF Comment: The recent and continuing series of anti-American outbursts appear to be the work of radical activists in Prime Minister Siaka Stevens' governing All People's Congress (APC) party. Though Stevens himself has sometimes taken an anti-Western, anti-American line, we doubt he intended to let things go this far. But it has become increasingly apparent that the newly-seated PM is unable to exert his authority over the party, army, or police and is justifiably fearful of opponents within and outside of this regime. INR OFFICE BRIEFER EXTENSION RAF L. Shurtleff J.B. Webbink 6625
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FOIA release, from the cia-readingroom collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. The text was read from the page images by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word. 132 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.