Our Role in the Quickening Pace Towards Independence in Africa

Our belief in the self-determination, self-govern ment, and independence of peoples has persisted throughout American history. The rapid political and social changes that are occurring in the countries of tropical Africa have drawn our sympathy and, in a more active way, have drawn our sup port through material and technical assistance granted to them directly or through the organization of the United Nations. It is of fairly recent date that the United States has officially co-operated in this area, an area that was previously a sphere in which European interests were predominant. While we have begun to offer assistance to the African states, we are hopeful, at the same time, that the long-established ties with the Euro pean countries can continue in another form, advantageous to both. The needs, we recognize, of the African states are of such magnitude that they cannot be fulfilled by any one country. We have, therefore, co-operated in efforts to promote economic development initiated by the United Nations and its specialized agencies. We are being called upon more and more to share our material benefits with the less-developed parts of the world. The African states form one of these areas, indeed a very im portant one, and we are ready to play our role in responding to their needs.—Ed.