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

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

New York, August 19, 1960, 9 p.m.

454. Re: Congo; Deptel 239.¹ Fol are my preliminary views in response Dept’s cable:

1. UN must stay in Congo, and must do so vigorously.

2. If Lumumba govt asks UN to leave, situation would become very awkward.

3. Fol ways out of this occur to me:

a) Find means to get rid of Lumumba;

b) Find means of temporizing on Congo request to leave, such as maintaining Lumumba does not constitute Congo Govt for this purpose. It could be argued UN, having decided go into Congo, cannot leave except with consent of both sides, i.e., UN must agree to leave. This could provide opening to send SC subcom as suggested Deptel.²

c) Change basis of UN presence in Congo by contending Lumumba was threat to peace. This would probably need action in GA eventually.

d) Finally, try to get to Nkrumah who is reported to be man who is steering Lumumba.

Lodge

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/8–1960. Secret; Priority.
1. See footnotes 1 and 2, Document 183.
2. The suggestion was to send a subcommittee to the Congo to report on the situation.