UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS Memorandum of Conversation
SECURITY INFORMATION
October 20, 1952
SUBJECT: Secretary Acheson's Conversations with Foreign Ministers of the NEA Area during 7th General Assembly of the United Nations
PARTICIPANTS: Mr. Gabriel Dennis, Secretary of State of Liberia The Secretary Mr. Plitt, U.S. Delegation
Mr. Dennis was received by the Secretary in his office at 3:30 p.m. Following an inquiry about President Tubman's health, Mr. Dennis replied that Mr. Tubman had recently returned from Spain, was quite well and he believed was scheduled to open the legislative assembly tomorrow. Mr. Dennis expressed appreciation of the interest President Truman and the Secretary had shown and continued to demonstrate in Liberia and particularly in his country's development.
The Secretary asked about the progress registered under the Point IV Program saying that he felt that it was going very well from the U.S. point of view, but that he would like to have Mr. Dennis' comment on it from the Liberian point of view. In response, Mr. Dennis said that his Government was very pleased with the execution of this program; that the progress achieved in the development of Liberia was well known even outside of his country and that he had heard it described by the Chinese Delegate that in this respect "Liberia is the price of the UN."
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Mr. Dennis mentioned that the administration and coordination of the program, which at first had left some things to be desired, had taken a turn for the better under the management of Mr. Frank Pinder whom he mentioned as an able and efficient administrator. He spoke of the road program and water supply and sewage disposal projects which he described as unfortunately dragging along somewhat and in need of acceleration.
Toward the close of his visit Mr. Dennis brought up the subject of Liberia's aspiration for the vice-chairmanship of the Ad Hoc Committee. The Secretary replied that he was under the impression that a decision on this was probably being taken at the very moment at the UN. The Secretary assured Mr. Dennis that he knew that Ambassador Simpson was under consideration for this office and that Ambassador Jessup (our representative in the Ad Hoc Committee) was sympathetic toward Mr. Simpson's election.
Mr. Dennis took leave at 4 o'clock, expressing appreciation for the courtesy shown to him by Mr. Acheson and the time the Secretary had taken out of a busy schedule to talk with him.
EAPlitt:gep