112. Telegram From the Embassy in Belgium to the Department of State0
90. Department Eyes Only Herter; Geneva Eyes Only Dillon. Further to Embtel 88 also sent Geneva 5,1 following just received from Leopoldville:
“For Burden from Timberlake.
Received word Noon Kasavubu and Lumumba enroute Matadito Leopoldville by plane. Went to airport arriving just in time to catch them leaving plane and had one hour conference with them alone and [Page 289] Lavallee of Embassy.2 Made pitch as given you this morning. Principal points they raised had to do with protest against violation of treaty by Belgians since paratroops request from GOC. I did not dispute their right lodge protest but urged, and I think successfully, that if they in fact insist on protesting that they do so after and not before they request United Nations assistance. Other question was who would bear expense of seeking and maintaining United Nations forces and what would become of defense budget. I suggested those questions be taken up after the first and crucial decision to ask United Nations assistance is decided.
Believe both impressed by force of argument. They said they would immediately hold Cabinet session and decide issue. They have asked Ralph Bunche to come to Lumumba’s residence at 4 P.M. I am keeping Embassy sitting that one out. Bunche being advised now. Expect he will fill me in completely following seance with GOC.”3
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–1060. Secret; Niact. Repeated to Geneva.↩
- Document 111.↩
- A memorandum of the conversation by Lavallee is ibid., AF/AFC Files: Lot 65 D 261, Congo Revolt—July–August/1960.↩
- Telegram 36 from USUN, July 10, reported that in a three-way telephone conversation among Bunche in Léopoldville, Hammarskjöld in Geneva, and his Executive Assistant Andrew Cordier in New York, Bunche informed Hammarskjöld that the Congolese had decided to request U.N. assistance. (Ibid., Central Files, 770G.00/7–1060)↩