Letter from Senator John F. Kennedy to Simon Malley, "Afrique Action"

U.S. SENATE,

COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS,

September 1, 1960

Mr. SIMON MALLEY,

420 East 56th St.,

New York 22, NY

DEAR MR. MALLEY: Thank you for your letter. I want to assure you that my overall position on the Algerian question has not changed, and I feel it is properly a matter of International concern, particularly when negotiations are not proceeding in good faith. It is my feeling that General De Gaulle at heart does desire to pursue a more liberal policy in Algeria than his predecessors, but I do not think that it is sufficient to say that it therefore becomes exclusively a French problem.

Let me say that I have sent Governor Harriman to West and Central Africa on a factfinding mission, and he is not concerning himself directly with the Algerian problem. Though Algeria obviously has implications throughout Africa, I can assure you that Governor Harriman is proceeding responsibly and intelligently in appraising conditions and in his discussions with African leaders.

With every good wish, I am

Sincerely,

JOHN F. KENNEDY.