Office of the Historian

328. Telegram From the Embassy in Belgium to the Department of State1

Brussels, November 17, 1964, 6 p.m.

966. Immediately following telegram2 contains Spaak’s instructions to De Kerchove re Dragon Rouge. You will note that 7th paragraph these instructions directs De Kerchove after liaison with Godley to see Tshombe Wednesday (November 18) and lift veil in general way. Spaak feels that before Dragon Rouge can be implemented it essential to have something in writing from Tshombe to cover us politically and asks De Kerchove to obtain Tshombe’s agreement in writing on any intervention towards purely humanitarian ends. If we believe approach to Tshombe premature, Davignon thought Spaak would agree to delay it a day or two.

Assume you will send word to Ambassador Godley as soon as possible instructing him on position to take with De Kerchove. We would appreciate substance these instructions by Flash message if Department [Page 477] does not agree with Spaak on this so that we can also inform him here.

Have informed Davignon that we have asked for Department’s views.

MacArthur
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Top Secret; Flash; Exdis. Received at 12:20 p.m. and repeated to Leopoldville. Passed to the White House, DOD, and CIA.↩
  2. Telegram 967 from Brussels, November 17. (Ibid.)↩