South African Diplomats Test the Idea of Leaving the United Nations

South Africa faced mounting scrutiny after police killed demonstrators at Sharpeville in 1960. The Security Council called for an end to apartheid, and in August 1963 it urged states to stop supplying arms, ammunition, and military vehicles. A special UN committee had also begun examining apartheid that year. Jooste's private inquiry arose while condemnation was developing into organized efforts to restrict the government's external support. [2]

South African diplomats privately raised withdrawal from the United Nations with Dean Rusk in Washington on 18 October 1963. G. P. Jooste, then secretary of foreign affairs and head of the UN delegation, asked for a separate conversation with the American secretary of state alongside Ambassador Willem Naudé. Jooste said his government was urgently considering withdrawal after repeated condemnation in the organization. [1]

Jooste argued that departure might also spare friendly countries difficult votes and reduce strains on the UN. Rusk challenged those expectations. South African questions would remain on the agenda, he said, and Washington did not want Pretoria to leave merely to make American diplomacy easier. [1]

Rusk treated these as preliminary comments. He declined to give immediate advice on South Africa's own interests and promised to convey any further American views within days. [1]

Related Diplomats

1. Gerhardus Petrus Jooste [1]
2. Willem Christiaan Naudé [1]

Related Reading

• South Africa and the United States
• Republic of South Africa