Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Eastern Europe; Finland; Greece; Turkey, Volume X, Part 2

167. Memorandum of Conversation⁰

MC/9

Vanga, July 19, 1960, 11 a.m.

UNDER SECRETARY’S VISIT TO YUGOSLAVIA

July 17–20, 1960

[Here follows the same list of participants as Document 164.]

SUBJECT

• Congo

President Tito stated that the China situation was not the only one where the unexpected can occur. The Congo difficulty is another such situation and affords another example of why we should be concerned at the failure of the Paris Conference. He stated that difficulties such as those now in the Congo grow in importance and momentum as a result of the cold war situation arising out of the failure of the big powers at Paris. Mr. Dillon agreed with President Tito on this point. He noted, however, that we were prepared to negotiate and it was the Russians who pulled out of the Paris Conference.

President Tito stated because of the sense of urgency Yugoslavia felt, as regards the world situation, the Yugoslavs had tried to prevent the complete breakdown of that conference and emphasized that the great powers should not stand on prestige. He said that Yugoslavia was greatly criticized by the East because of this statement. He was concerned with the continuing deteriorating developments in the international situation and the cumulative effect of these developments and felt that something must be done.

Mr. Dillon said “something” was very broad. He asked whether President Tito had specific suggestions.

President Tito replied that we should seek to activate the UN. He said that the appeal to the UN for assistance in dealing with the Congo rebellion is a good example of how the UN should be used.

Mr. Dillon said he fully agreed with President Tito. He noted that no country has supported the UN more than we. We have always felt it was the hope of humanity. While it was difficult to make the UN work at times because, for example, of the resort to the veto in the Security Council, we nonetheless felt we should use the UN to the greatest extent possible.

He noted that the idea for the use of the UN in the Congo case originally came from our Ambassador to the Congo. In fact our Ambassador broached this line without initially telling Washington since he could reasonably feel that his proposal was in line with American policy in this regard. We were glad our Ambassador had made this proposal and we desire to strengthen the UN in any way we can.

Mr. Mates summarized a conversation which had ensued among President Tito and other Yugoslav officials present regarding the countries invited to participate in the UN action on the Congo. In reply to President Tito’s query, Secretary of State Popovic stated that Russian troops have not been invited to participate. President Tito indicated that the UN action should not be allowed to become part of the cold war.

Mr. Dillon agreed. He felt that troops for the UN action should come from small countries and from other countries in Europe, including Yugoslavia. Mr. Mates stated that Yugoslavia had agreed to provide troops. President Tito amended this to say “technicians”. Mr. Dillon stated that we did not want to send American troops. He noted that when the Congo authorities had requested us to provide troops we stated that we did not wish to do so. He indicated that we were sending supplies of goods in order to assist and were assisting with the air lift, but were not sending troops. President Tito indicated that he approved of our attitude.

0. Source: Department of State, Conference Files: Lot 64 D 559, CF 1274. Confidential. The drafting officer is not indicated; approved by Dillon on July 21. The meeting was held in Tito’s villa. See also Documents 164–166 and 168.