{"value"=>"<p>Series documents Westerman's service as a delegate to the United Nations from 1956 until 1960, and the trips he took representing Panama, as well as his special service to Caribbean nations in the 1960s. The United Nations subseries, 1956-1983 (3 lin. ft.) includes his official statements as a member of the Fourth Committee of the United Nations dealing with non-self-governing territories, especially South West Africa (Namibia) and Togoland (Togo), the latter under French administration. There are statements by other United Nations officials and politicians concerning the Fourth Committee, and by Panamanian leaders who spoke on worldwide issues. The series includes correspondence with officials, statements prepared by UNESCO, and news clippings about Westerman, including his candidacy for Secretary-General following the 1961 death of Dag Hammerskjold. There are invitations to official events and printed material Westerman collected about several African territories seeking independence in the late 1950s-early 1960s. Additionally, this series contains copies of the printed \"Provisional Summary Records\" of the United Nations General Assembly Fourth Committee for the 11th-15th and the 26th Sessions, as well as summaries of information transmitted to the secretary-general concerning territories in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Indian and Pacific Oceans (1956). There is a file on UNESCO's Decade for Action to Combat Racism in which Westerman participated in 1967-1968, after he left the United Nations. Publications about UNESCO, UNICEF, Africa, and the economic development of Latin America can also be found. This part of the series is arranged by format of material.</p> <p>The Non-United Nations Diplomatic Activities subseries, 1957-1983 (.6 lin. ft.) documents Westerman's diplomatic career after his post at the United Nations had ended. Due in part to his position with the Fourth Committee and his role there supporting the independence efforts of non- self-governing territories, Westerman was invited to the independence celebrations and presidential inaugurations of African and Caribbean countries. Among other events, he attended the independence celebrations of Ghana (1957) which is represented only by a letter, Cameroon (1960), and the inauguration of President William V. S. Tubman of Liberia (1960) whose celebration is represented by invitations, programs, a sermon and addresses delivered by Tubman as well as biographical information about him.</p> <p>Westerman also attended the independence celebrations of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, both held in August 1962. Since many laborers who worked on the Panama Railroad and Panama Canal were from Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, letters and statements from various officials, including the former and current presidents of Panama are included in the series, which also contains programs, booklets and news clippings. Additionally, there is documentation on Westerman's appointment by President Marco Robles to the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary on Special Mission for the purpose of establishing diplomatic relations between Panama and the Caribbean nations and assisting with their admittance to the Organization of American States. During his tenure as Ambassador, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados were admitted to the OAS (1967) and Barbados was admitted to the U. N. (1966).</p> <p>As a result of Westerman's efforts, Panama maintained a close relationship with Barbados, the home of his father. This series documents the close personal relationship he had with Barbados' first Prime Minister, Errol Barrow, and diplomatic relations between Panama and Barbados. There is information relating to the independence celebrations in 1966 which Westerman attended, as well as Westerman's role in getting Barrow's support for the candidacy of Panamanian Dr. Eduardo Ritter Aislan for the position of Secretary General of the OAS following the retirement of General Jose A. Mora in May 1968. There is also material concerning Barrow's visit to Panama in February 1967, Westerman's subsequent visit to Barbados in August 1967, and Westerman's appointment as Honorary Consul for Barbados in Panama in 1968 at the request of Barrow. Documentation indicates he resigned the following year because of his frequent trips outside of Panama. In his official capacity as Ambassador, in August 1967 Westerman also visited Trinidad and Tobago, New York and Washington. Files include correspondence, a speech and news clippings pertaining to the independence celebrations, biographical information about Barrow, and news releases concerning Barbados' admission to the United Nations. Barrow's visit to Panama in February 1967 consists of an itinerary, correspondence, and news clippings. Materials related to Westerman's return visit in August 1967 as well as his trips to Trinidad and Tobago and New York include correspondence between Westerman and Barrow regarding postponing a 1968 visit by Barrow to Panama because of political turmoil in Panama. Barbardos' admission to the OAS is documented by press releases, OAS Information Service News Releases and news clippings. This part of the series is arranged alphabetically by name of country.</p>"}