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

138. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations⁰

July 20, 1960, 6:38 p.m.

92. Security Council Meeting on Congo. We assume Soviets will press hard at Security Council meeting tonight for withdrawal of forces within specified time limit (perhaps 72 hours as reported earlier). In view agreement between Bunche and Belgians providing for Belgian withdrawal from Leopoldville to its bases by Saturday,¹ we believe Council situation should be manageable. Department of course continues to believe that West would be in even stronger position if Belgians are able to go somewhat further than Bunche–Belgian agreement and state before Council meeting or at an early stage of SC meeting that “withdrawal of Belgian forces out of the Congo has begun”. Alternatively, statement to the effect that “Belgium will begin withdrawal of its forces from the Congo by July 23, assuming the United Nations can assure the safety of Europeans and Africans by then”, might be more acceptable to Belgium though clearly not as effective in terms of situation confronting us in SC. You requested to continue to point out advantages of making such statement to Wigny and Belgian UN Representative. What we have in mind of course is merely a small token withdrawal from the Congo for symbolic purposes at the moment since we agree fully with Bunche assessment that UN is not yet in a position to assure protection both to Africans and Europeans, though it is our hope that UN will be able to do so by end of week, as indicated in Bunche announcement of yesterday.

In foregoing circumstances we would hope that Council proceedings can be concluded without need for any resolution and limited to receipt of SYG’s report and such statements as Council members may wish to make. We realize, however, that odds are against this sort of a meeting and there is likely to be great deal of pressure for some kind of resolution. If it appears that Soviets will submit resolution calling for immediate withdrawal Belgian forces within 72 hours, you may wish consider at your discretion having LA’s or possibly Tunisians preempt situation and submit resolution along following lines. This resolution would avoid any specific time limit but would provide appropriate basis for phased withdrawal of Belgian forces as rapidly as possible in light of UN take-over of responsibility for maintenance of public order in Congo. Moreover, third operative paragraph is designed to meet problem of Lumumba off-again-on-again requests to Soviets and Bandung powers to intervene directly.² Resolution follows:

Verbatim Text

The Security Council,

Noting with satisfaction the report of the Secretary General regarding the steps which have been taken in implementation of Security Council resolution S/4387 of 13 July 1960,³

Noting also that the withdrawal of Belgian forces from the Leopoldville area has begun, and is scheduled to be completed by July 23,

[Noting further the statement of the Government of Belgium that withdrawal of its forces from the Congo has begun]⁴

1. Urges the SYG to continue his efforts to carry out SC resolution S/4387.

2. Calls upon the Government of Belgium to withdraw its troops as provided for in SC resolution 4387 as soon as possible.⁵

3. Requests all states to refrain from any actions which will make the carrying out of resolutions S/4387 of July 13 and this resolution more difficult, and in particular to refrain from introduction of any troops other than those requested by the Secretary General pursuant to the Security Council resolution of July 13.

4. Requests the SYG to report to the Security Council as appropriate.

End Verbatim Text

We assume that you will concert closely with SYG on this matter in first instance as well as other SC members.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–2060. Official Use Only; Niact. Drafted by Sisco; cleared by Herter, Merchant, and McBride and with S/S; and approved by Wilcox. Repeated to Brussels, Léopoldville, and Paris.
1. July 23.
2. The Congolese Cabinet issued a statement on July 19 appealing for assistance from the Soviet Union or the Afro-Asian bloc; for text, see Congo 1960, vol. II, pp. 610–611.
3. See footnote 2, Document 124.
4. Brackets in the source text.
5. According to a memorandum prepared in the Secretary’s office of a telephone conversation between Herter and Wilcox at 1:05 p.m. that afternoon, Wilcox said Merchant wanted to remove language from the draft resolution which, like the previous resolution, called upon the Belgians to “withdraw their troops from the territory of the Republic of the Congo.” Wilcox said he thought this would cause trouble “both in getting someone to peddle this and also in the ensuing discussions because the language difference will be noticed.” Herter suggested “withdrawal as contemplated in the previous resolution.” Wilcox was not sure this would be acceptable but agreed to try it. (Eisenhower Library, Herter Papers, Telephone Conversations)