CONFIDENTIAL — LIM DIS
PSB
(Classification)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
INR BRIEFING NOTE
GIST: SENEGAL: Situation Returning to Normal, Cabinet Shuffle expected today; Amb. Brown Concerned that Americans Be Scapegoat for Turmoil since rumors of this spreading
TO: The Director, INR
DATE: June 6, 1968
TIME: early a.m.
COMMENTS CONTAINED IN INR BRIEFING NOTES ARE INITIAL AND TENTATIVE.
SOURCE(S)
Dakar 2966, 5 June 68,
CONFIDENTIAL
CLASS./CONTROL(S)
Dakar calm and life returning to normal. All banks now open, though under military guard. Curfew still strictly enforced. French forces 2000 stationed in Senegal have all been returned to base as well as most Senegalese army units. Airport open on 24-hour basis.
LIMDIS—BACKGROUND
USE ONLY
Senghor, at cabinet meeting 6/4, said would announce cabinet shuffle 6/6. Cabinet decided sanctions would not be applied against public sector workers provided they returned to work 6/5. Preparations being made for normal administration of exams in lycees; arrested lycee students have been released. Last two union leaders still under arrest expected to be released 6/5.
Embassy Comment: Understand Senghor is about to announce drastic reductions in salaries of deputies and ministers. Rumor also that he might reinstate 12-month scholarships for university students which would presumably permit reopening of university in October-November. (Deputies salary cuts would pay for/scholarships.)
Senghor meeting with UPS leadership 6/5 to discuss ministerial shuffle. Expect Minister of Information be dropped (for ineptitude with foreign press, imposition of press censorships for two days without Senghor permission, haste in publishing list of arrested labor leaders). Senghor also likely pick one of labor leaders to enter cabinet.
Dakar 2971, 5 June 68,
CONFIDENTIAL
Ambassador Brown Concerned that in search for scapegoat for recent turmoil in Senegal, rumors are drifting already that Americans were involved. Rumors being inflated by certain anti-Americans always anxious to cause friction between US and Senegal. Brown has discussed rumors with French Ambassador and has asked appointment with Senghor next week to discuss and condemn rumors.
RAF Comment: Senghor has reportedly ordered a thorough investigation of all foreign contacts with the Senegalese labor movement in order to determine the degree of involvement of any foreign power in the May 31 general strike. There are US labor ties with Senegalese unions, and some recent reports indicated that President Senghor is suspicious of them.
INR OFFICE
RAF
BRIEFER
J.D. Webblink
EXTENSION
5077
CONFIDENTIAL — LIM DIS
(Classification)
NW-81097 DocId:33061196 Page 128