69. Telegram From the Embassy in Belgium to the Department of State1
2028. Paris for USRO. Congo. Embtel 1994,2 Deptel 1961 [2379].3 I discussed Congo further with Spaak this afternoon, particularly importance of early withdrawal of Belgian advisors and military in compliance with UN resolution. Spaak said private Belgian individuals and [Page 142] interests in Katanga which opposed his policy of withdrawal were bombarding him and members of the government and Parliament with telegrams and letters opposing withdrawal of Belgian military personnel, saying if such withdrawal occurred situation would disintegrate into chaos and become like that in Kivu. At same time, authorities in both Elisabethville and Léopoldville have been raising increasing difficulties and objection to withdrawal of many of advisors who were on original lists Spaak submitted. In addition to Katangans (reference telegrams), Kasavubu was now also saying that he wished to retain most of the twelve persons on the withdrawal list submitted by Spaak. (Dorsinville confirmed this to us this morning.) Spaak felt that Belgians who were on withdrawal list were to considerable extent responsible for these new difficulties.
Spaak went on to say despite foregoing he determined to withdraw advisors, mercenaries and military soonest and several advisors on way home. However real key to withdrawal of Belgian military and some of pol advisors lay with UN, which must provide replacements acceptable to GOC and Katangan authorities. He asked most earnestly that we press SYG to move more rapidly in providing acceptable replacements. I mentioned that Dumontet was now negotiating this matter with Munongo (Deptel 2379). Spaak replied that while he hoped this true, he understood Dumontet had now left Congo and GOB had no indication that UN was actively negotiating this matter with Munongo.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 855.0070G/6–561. Confidential. Received at 5:41 p.m. and repeated to Léopoldville, Elisabethville, USUN, and Paris.↩
- Telegram 1994 from Brussels, May 29, reported that Spaak had told MacArthur that Katangan authorities were raising problems at the prospect of withdrawal of Belgian military personnel, and the Belgian civilian population in Katanga was excited and concerned. Some Belgians were threatening a massive withdrawal of Belgian civilians, including technicians, if Belgian military personnel were withdrawn without dependable assurances that law and order would be maintained. (Ibid., 855.0070G/5– 2961)↩
- Telegram 2379 to Brussels, June 2, stated that the Department understood the United Nations was developing plans for replacing Belgian military personnel and was negotiating arrangements with Munongo. It suggested that MacArthur mention this to Spaak, indicate that U.S. representatives had raised this point with Hammarskjöld and his staff more than once, and express gratification that Spaak was proceeding with the withdrawal of political advisers and mercenaries. (Ibid.)↩