Evening star., 1960-10-16
Stote Department
Emphasis on Africo


matter Of course are transferred
each three years, with q post as
signed to them outside their re.
gional area Of specialization once
in every three moves.
The thinking Is that an Amer.
ican diplomat must not become
narrow In his outlook and must
not come to identity" his own
life and views too closely with
those OF the country In which he
Is serving.
Hordship Cases
Special considerations always
are given weight in assigning posts,
the bureau says. In cases where
the hardship" is extreme, changes
are made more frequently, and in
those where q man is not expend-
able, he may be kept on for q
number Of consecutive tours.
Among the special considera-
tions was one raised recently by
former New York Gov. Averell
Hartman before departing on q
fact-f1nding tour Of Africa for
Democratic presidential candidate
John F. Kennedy.
Mr.. Hartman suggested that
more American Negroes ought to
be attracted into the Foreign Serv-
ice for assignment to Africa. They
should be assigned elsewhere as
well, he added quickly, but would
seem to be Of particular value on
q continent where Negroes are in
q great majority.
To this idea, an African Bureau
of1cial says there are pros and
cons. He agrees that more quali-
fed Negroes should be attracted
to all posts, but he has reserva-
tions about their exclusive assign
ment to Africa.
An American Negro would have
a very dificult time trying to deal
with whites in the Union Of South
Africa, for instance, and even in
new nations where whites are In
the minority, assignment Of o Ne
gro Foreign Service officer might
meet with unfavorable local
reaction. as being condescending.
The Question Of Ties
There is also the argument that
the American Negro has no real
ties OF language. culture or identi-
fable national heritage with the
people Of Africa: that his skin is
dark, and that alone is the truly
common bond.
But in the final reckoning, the
official says, this aspect must be
considered along with all the
others involved in determining
which man is best suited for the
task Of diplomac understanding
and being understood.
American diplomatic involve
ment in African affairs was sty-
mted to a great degree until recent
years because the colonial pow
ers that controlled the states now
emerging were Americas staunch
allies. To make overtures would
most certainly have been resented
by those allies.
But now that colonialism Is on
the wane and the former colonial
powers in fact are participating
in the great movement toward
independence for Africa, the
door is wide open to American
diplomacy.
AS o result, the Bureau Of At
rican Affairs, now half the size
Of the Latin-American, Far East
ern and Near East-South Asia
Bureaus and only q fourth the
size Of the Bureau Of Indian AZ
fairs, seems destined to grow to
full partnership in the depart
ment's global responsibilities.
And as the Importance Of the
Afro-Asian bloc in the United Ma
tions grows, as it inevitably must.
the role Of the Bureau Of African
Affairs in the United States State
Department must keep pace. Liv-
ingstone and Stanley signaled the
beginning of a colonial era. The
Africa Of today signals the begin.
ming Of another.