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

127. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State⁰

Léopoldville, July 15, 1960, 10 p.m.

106. Last night Major General Alexander arrived Leopoldville¹ and called on me to request run down on situation. This British Commander-in-Chief, Ghana forces, level-headed and broad gauged. He said Nkrumah had agreed send two battalions troops, all under British officers and thoroughly reliable, under UN banner in response appeal from GOC. He told Nkrumah he wanted to investigate situation personally before advising Nkrumah to send them.

After discussion he telegraphed that the two battalions would be welcome help and he expects them to arrive tomorrow or Sunday.

I also asked Van Den Bosch and Rothschild² in to discuss situation created by demand Belgian Paratroop Commander to Force Publique now at Camp Leopold to deliver arms to paratroops by midnight last night or face assault. Bunche, Alexander and I persuaded Van Den Bosch to call Paratroop Commander and convince him it would be better wait until today when negotiating team of representative commander, Alexander, a member of UN group and a representative of Belgian Embassy would try obtain agreement Force Publique turn over arms to neutral control at least on temporary basis. During course these discussions, Bomboko arrived. I told him in my estimation situation called for statesmanship, that decisions taken in anger, however justifiable, can often be wrong, and asked him prevail on Kasavubu and Lumumba delay break in diplomatic relations with Belgium at least until today and hopefully for indefinite time. Explained Congo would suffer more than it perhaps realizes by such action and remedy for alleged violation treaty lies in complaint already lodged in UN. Bomboko assured me he would do his best and left hastily for airport where Kasavubu and Lumumba were due arrive.

I also endeavored line up further Congolese support for Federation in this matter through Ileo, President, Senate who is very favorable, Yumbu, Vice President, Provincial Council and close to Kasavubu, and others.

I sent Lavallee and Devlin to airport to seek Kasavubu and Lumumba and express similar thoughts. They met the two as they left plane and gave message. The reception was polite but frigid—both men being under great strain and obviously very angry with Belgians. Lavallee and Devlin had to find them transportation which was not laid on.

As they decended plane ramp Belgian troops and civilians booed and called them “macaque”, about the worst possible, violently until they finally got away. Parenthetically, Belgian troops and civilians are behaving similarly and worse in Leopoldville streets. One Congolese civilian was killed by white civilian on street near Meling Hotel this morning without any provocation.

At this morning’s Cabinet meeting, I understand Bomboko was trying limit break diplomatic relations to recall Ambassadors but outcome not yet known.

See next following telegram for Embassy comment.³

Timberlake

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.5841/7–1560. Official Use Only; Priority.
1. For Major General H. T. Alexander’s account of his service in the Congo, see African Tightrope, pp. 33–87.
2. Robert Rothschild held ambassadorial rank and served as Van Den Bosch’s deputy.
3. In telegram 107 from Léopoldville, Timberlake commented that Kasavubu seemed to be under Lumumba’s thumb and that the hatred growing between the Congolese and Belgians was likely to induce rash actions by both sides. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–1560)