Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Africa, Volume XIV

108. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State ⁰

Paris, July 8, 1960, 1 p.m.

118. Following is Lukens¹ Brazzaville telephonic report number 2, 12:30 p.m.

Situation much worse,² Embassy now stage three, burning documents. Americans confined houses, presents difficulty evacuation. Force Publique tried to break into Embassy in search photographer. Timberlake turned them away. Embassy now surrounded. Four boats under rebel command patrolling river preventing crossing. French from Brazzaville tried to get across to help but were turned back with bullets. Group French Congo Deputies and Ministers also tried to cross to plead with rebels but were told to turn back otherwise would be shot at.

In answer to inquiry as what Belgian troops were doing, Lukens reported he understood there were some 2,500 but he was unable to find out what role they were playing.

Lukens stated he had talked with Dufour French Diplomatic Counselor concerning possibility of using French troops Brazzaville to transit river and aid foreign evacuation but Dufour hesitant to use French troops this purpose. Lukens wondered whether some UN aspect might be employed. Lukens believed that some 50 French nationals have escaped to Brazzaville. He is still in walkie-talkie communication with Timberlake and this is only means of communication. Lyon³ conveyed Satterthwaite message. Lukens will continue to communicate hourly Embassy Paris.⁴

Houghton

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–860. Official Use Only; Niact. Repeated to Brussels.
1. Consul at Brazzaville Alan W. Lukens.
2. Mutiny had broken out in the Force Publique on July 5, and the disorders had spread to the capital.
3. Cecil B. Lyon, Minister at the Embassy in Paris.
4. According to a July 8 memorandum from Major General Robert A. Breitweiser, USAF, Joint Staff Director for Intelligence, to the Joint Staff Director, communication was being carried on by radio between Brazzaville and Léopoldville, by short-wave radio between Brazzaville and Paris, and by telephone between Paris and Washington. Communications between Léopoldville and Washington had been severed. (National Archives and Records Administration, JCS Records, 9111/9108 (8 July 60), Sec. 1)