133. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State0
New York, July 18,
1960, 8 p.m.
126. Re: Congo. In conversation this afternoon with me, Slim (Tunisia):
- 1.
- Urgently requested US insist that Belgians announce they are withdrawing their troops from Congo, at least on one-to-one basis as UN troops arrive.
- 2.
- He urged that I make statement in SC at Congo mtg that Belgian forces should be withdrawn speedily now that UN troops are arriving. He assumed I would not be able call for their withdrawal by a certain date.
- 3.
- Slim said Congo Deputy FonMin will be in New York Wednesday afternoon. Slim told Sobolev he was therefore requesting SCmtg, now scheduled Tuesday1 afternoon at Soviet request, be put off until Wednesday afternoon. Slim said he asked Sobolev if Soviets intend send troops to Congo; Sobolev replied they would not send troops. Soviet objective is to establish date by which Belgian troops will have been withdrawn.
- 4.
- Slim urged that we not let Soviets take initiative. He realized we cannot go as far as Soviets demanding Belgian withdrawal by specific date, but believes we should openly favor speedy withdrawal.
- 5.
- Slim said he was very discouraged by continued rumors of new arrivals in Congo of Belgian troops. He said Congo is weakest area in Africa and it clear Soviets are concentrating on it. He urged we take above action soonest.
- 6.
- Believe our strategy of backing Slim has proved its prudence thus far. If we had not supported him last Wednesday there would undoubtedly have been Soviet veto and situation in Congo would be worse than it is. Recommend I be authorized to support his request and keep initiative in matter of so much meaning to Africa out of Soviet hands. Am confident too that speedy Belgian withdrawal is also in best interests of Belgians.
Lodge