139. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State0
166. Re: Congo. Lodge requested appointment with Kanza (Congo) during course of morning July 20. Because of meetings with Afro-Asians and SYG and lunching with Ghanaians, Kanza had no time to see individual delegates until afternoon. We met with him and his two associates at 2:30 in our small offices in UN.
Lodge welcomed him, informed him our desire he go to Washington for conversations in Dept of State and offered him any possible assistance in our capacity as host govt. Kanza expressed appreciation these offers. He said unfortunately he expected return to Congo at beginning of week and would have remain in NY during interim. He [Page 337] planned return NY beginning of Sept in preparation for establishing Congo Mission to UN and for GA. He hoped take advantage of invitation come to State Dept at that time.
Kanza is young, serious and intelligent African who impressed us, and others, favorably. He is soft-spoken, mild-mannered and poised. He obviously comprehends fact this is historic moment for his country, full of vital decisions for them to make. He seemed neither daunted nor overwhelmed by this but, rather, confident of capacity his people and their country to face future.
Substance of Kanza’s conversation was in essence same as his statement before SC later in evening which is available elsewhere.1 He spoke of Congo desire to maintain friendly and close relations with Belgium but at same time could not help taking note of obstacles which Belgium seemed be placing in their way. He suggested one way Belgians could have improved and might still improve relationships would be have person other than Van Den Bosch as Amb. His closeness to situation somehow prevented comprehension of new realities and change might have salutary effect.
After receipt Deptel 92,2 Lodge made appointment with FonMin Wigny in order present views contained therein, as conveyed Belgian Amb Wash and by US Amb Brussels. Wigny too was shuttled from meeting to meeting and Lodge saw him only after SYG did, just before SC began.
Wigny presented his case to us in fol terms: As Belgium sees it. there are three issues involved. First is conflict over withdrawal of troops. Belgium stands ready to withdraw all its forces of intervention in Congo soon as law and order, etc. re-established. Wigny prepared state to us their willingness withdraw all Belgian troops. However, Wigny said, they interpreted establishment of law and order as applying not only to absence of civil disorder but restoration of public services and technical facilities. In this connection Wigny expressed concern lest UN be unable assure such situation and “technicians of Czech nationality and other Communist satellites” flow in at Moscow’s bid to overrun Congo.
- Second issue for Belgians was question of bases which Wigny regarded as important not for Belgium herself but for entire Western world. He said they could serve as bastion of freedom in heart of Africa if they remain in Belgian hands and at disposition of West. In other hands they could be turned against free world. This did not mean Belgium insisted on retaining control of these bases forever. Wigny referred to provisions of Treaty of Friendship signed June 29 between Congo and Belgium, which provided among other things for [Page 338] possibility of disposition these bases by turning them over to Congo. However, Wigny felt this was matter which could only be dealt with sensibly in fullness of time. Therefore SC, and UN forces, must not take decisions or actions which would prejudice situation re bases.
- Third point related to Katanga. Belgian Govt had not changed its position that Katanga was part of Congo. It made no sense to think of Katanga, which had 90 percent of wealth of entire country, as independent with rest of Congo down the drain. Nevertheless in Katanga there was an order of stability and Belgian forces were present there at request of local authorities where they were maintaining law and order. To introduce UN troops into Katanga could only cause problem and tend to exaggerate otherwise relatively satisfactory situation. Therefore while not wishing exclude possibility of secession, Wigny said he felt whole issue should be held in suspense, and not prejudged by calling for UN troops to go there.
In response to Lodge’s presentation of views in Deptel 92, Wigny said these points were completely consistent with Belgian policy.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 655.70G/7–2160. Confidential.↩
- For the record of the meeting, see U.N. doc. S/PV.877.↩
- Document 138.↩