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

147. Telegram From the Mission at the United Nations to the Department of State⁰

New York, July 25, 1960, 1 a.m.

210. Re: Congo.

1. Lumumba arrived Idlewild Sunday¹ morning and was met by UN reps of African countries except Morocco and Sudan, plus Roberts,² escort officer assigned by Dept, plus USUN officer.

2. We are trying to get decision from Lumumba re his visiting Washington and will report as soon as we get information. From speaking to various members of party, we believe Lumumba does not have much idea of what he wants to do during trip nor when he wants to do it. His party was pulled together at last minute and came with no advance preparation (and no money). We believe US will have to take charge of arrangements for Lumumba starting about Tuesday morning. We understand UNSYG planning to spend Monday and Tuesday laying out UNGA program. Since this may be too dull to hold Lumumba for two solid days, believe he will start looking for things to do about Tuesday, if not earlier. In any event, Tuesday night SYG will be through with Lumumba. Beyond that, Secretariat has no plans for him.

3. Originally we had impression UNSYG going to act as host during visit, this changed Saturday afternoon. At airport and during day Sunday Ghana and Guinea took charge de facto. Quaison-Sackey³ (Ghana) and Barnes⁴ (Liberia) were first to greet Lumumba at airport and stayed closest to him during very brief reception and press conference. Marof (Guinea) also much in evidence and acted as interpreter during press conference. Lunch Sunday took place at Ghana Embassy Residence, New Rochelle. Only part of party went, others stayed behind at Barclay Hotel and rested. At 4 p.m. Lumumba and selected advisors had meeting with SYG; after meeting much picture taking and press conference.

4. Saturday afternoon Cordier (Secretariat) implied Secretariat would take charge of Lumumba and party during their New York visit. Cordier said he had told Richard Patterson (N.Y. official hospitality) that no NY hospitality required. Little later Wieschhoff⁵ (Secretariat) gave very different impression. He said SYG, through Bunche, had tried to discourage Lumumba from coming;SYG’s attitude now was that Lumumba had decided to make himself “available” for discussions. Wieschhoff said Secretariat had no idea how long Lumumba would stay, whom he wished to see or where he wished to go. Secretariat “assumed” Lumumba would want to go to Washington.

5. Kanza Saturday went to see SYG after having heard Lumumba definitely coming. Kanza did not have any precise information on Lumumba’s plans or hopes, but did have exploratory talk with SYG as to what Lumumba might do at UN. SYG tried to plant idea with Kanza that Lumumba should return to Leopoldville and be there when SYG visits. However, Wieschhoff doubted this feasible since to do this he would have to leave Wednesday night and Wieschhoff had impression Lumumba intended to stay one week.

6. Kanza told SYG he hoped Lumumba might have opportunity to address SC but SYG discouraged that and instead suggested SC lunch Monday to which African UN reps would also be invited. That would provide opportunity for Lumumba to talk with SC members informally (lunch now officially announced and invitations sent). As already reported, Kanza also suggested to SYG that State Department should assign someone to accompany Lumumba all during trip and be able to give him counsel as to whom he should see as well as provide channel to US Government.

7. Following our talk with Wieschhoff Saturday, and our getting report on Kanza-SYG meeting, we telephoned Ferguson, AF, and suggested Dept be prepared to step in and take over planning of Lumumba’s visit to US. Otherwise there would be little planning or arrangements and visit could become shambles or, worse still, might be taken over by people who would not act in interests of US foreign policy.

8. Saturday Dadzie (Ghana) called to say he hoped arrangement could be made for Lumumba to visit President Eisenhower while in US. We gave Dadzie no encouragement but agreed to report his suggestion. Sunday morning at airport, Quaison-Sackey again urged arrangement be made for visit to President. Lumumba party carrying (a) carved ivory lamp and (b) wooden statue which they say for presentation to “someone” if meeting takes place. We believe they may hope give presents to President. Congolese themselves have not yet themselves mentioned wish to see President.

9. Re Detwiler,⁶ Cordier (Secretariat) says Barnes (Liberia) plans to tell Lumumba about Detwiler’s activities in Liberia which Cordier understands were not at all satisfactory to Liberia.

Lodge

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.11/7–2560. Confidential; Priority.
1. July 24.
2. Owen W. Roberts, former Consul at Léopoldville.
3. Alex Quaison-Sackey, Ghana’s Representative at the United Nations.
4. Nathan Barnes, Liberia’s Representative at the United Nations.
5. Heinrich Wieschhoff.
6. American promoter Edgar Detwiler had signed an agreement with Lumumba providing for development of aspects of the Congo economy by the Congo International Management Corporation (CIMCO). The agreement required approval by the Congo legislature.