33. Telegram From the United States Information Agency to the Embassy in the Congo1

USITO 185. PAO from Lewis.

Absolutely essential still photos and all other output reflect humanitarian objective of rescue mission2 for non-Europeans as well as Belgians and Americans. For this purpose, in addition to Congolese evacuees, you should concentrate on Indian, Pakistan, Sudanese, Haitians and other non-Europeans. Participation Congolese Red Cross, especially doctors and nurses, should provide useful material.

Visibility military aspects rescue mission must be held to minimum. Airship soonest six best photos according this and previous guidance to IPS for world-wide distribution.

Wilson
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 306, DIRCTR Subj. Files, 1963–69, Bx 6–29 63–69: Acc: #72A5121, Entry UD WW 257, Box 19, Congo Reaction—Telegrams. Limited Official Use; Immediate. Drafted and approved by Lewis; cleared by Wilson.
  2. For details of the rescue, which took place between November 22 and 24, see Foreign Relations, 1964–1968, vol. XXIII, Congo, 1960–1968, Documents 330365.