Collection 579 - Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Identity area

Reference code

FR UNIC MR-MM-579

Title

Files of United Nations Secretary-General, U Thant

Date(s)

  • 1962 - 1964 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent and medium

2 folders

Context area

Name of creator

Administrative history

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Files of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, U Thant, including:
Correspondence from U Thant to Mr. Souleymane Ould Cheikh Sidya (Chairman of the Afro-Asian Group and permanent representative to the UN) about the arrest of Nelson Mandela by the South African government and the response received by U Thant from the South African government that the matter essentially falls within the jurisdiction of the Republic of South Africa and that it is not accountable to the UN, 1962.
Statements by anti-apartheid leaders about the racial policies of the South African government, including a statement by Nelson Mandela (quoted in the South African House of Assembly by Helen Suzman), Yusuf Dadoo and Duma Nokwe, 1963. Notes on the forthcoming discussion on the South Africa question in the Security Council by ES Reddy, including the expectation of death sentences for Nelson Mandela and other Rivonia Trialists, and the role of the UN beyond the Rivonia Trial, 1964.
Notes on the Rivonia Trial, and a Security Council discussion on the South African question, with references to the adoption of the resolution on South African prisoners and the Rivonia Trial, a proposal for a separate emergency draft resolution on the Rivonia Trial, possible repercussions of death sentences in the Rivonia Trial, the advantages of adopting a resolution in advance of the sentences, the possibility of death sentences for Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and at least three other accused, Nelson Mandela and Sisulu reported to be disinclined to appeal their sentences with the implication that the time available for external pressure would be limited, and the possibility of long prison terms, 1964.
A memorandum from ES Reddy (Principal Secretary, UN Special Committee Against Apartheid) to Vladimir Suslov (Under-Secretary General for Political and Security Council Affairs), enclosing a copy of a statement made by Chief Albert Luthuli on the Rivonia Trial, to be released immediately after the sentencing of the Rivonia Trialists, 1964. A letter addressed to Mr. Matthys I. Botha, South African representative to the UN about the death sentences imposed on Vuyisile Mini, Zinakile Mkaba and Wilson Khayinga, and the threats of the same penalty being imposed on other political Trialists, 1964.
A press statement issued by South African Prime Minister, HF Verwoerd concerning the sentences passed in the Rivonia Trial, 1964.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Contact location for access

Conditions governing reproduction

United Nations

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

Script(s)

Sources

Accession area