265. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Kenya1
1056. Governor Williams reached Murumbi by telephone just prior to his transatlantic takeoff. Governor Williams pointed out that Secretary Rusk could not see Murumbi unless he could make public statement such as included in his prior authorization to wit: Murumbi coming as special representative of Kenyatta without reference American aid to Congo. Murumbi assured Williams Kenyatta statement misunderstood and that last thing in world they wanted was embarrass USG. Williams said USG didn’t want embarrass him or OAU. Default requested statement Williams would see Murumbi but could not talk about Congo aid without Congolese present. Murumbi said confident of mutually agreeable meeting. He would not speak press New York or Washington and would see Ambassadors of countries his delegation requesting they do same. Williams asked whether mission could be construed goodwill mission. Murumbi said just about. Murumbi said would look up Williams directly after checking Ambassadors.2
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 3 OAU. Confidential; Flash. Drafted by Williams; cleared by Brubeck, Harriman, and Palmer; and approved by Williams. Also sent to Leopoldville and repeated to London, Brussels, Accra, Conakry, Lagos, and Cairo.↩
- Telegram 210 to Accra, September 25, reported that Murumbi arrived in Washington that afternoon and that Williams would be seeing him within the framework of the announced U.S. position. Unless Murumbi could meet the principal points in the U.S. position, however, neither he nor the other members of the delegation would be received by higher U.S. officials. Therefore, the U.S. Government hoped that, in order to avoid an embarrassing situation, host governments would instruct their delegates not to proceed to Washington until exploratory talks with Murumbi reached a satisfactory conclusion. (Ibid., POL 23–9 THE CONGO)↩