Office of the Historian

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

August 27, 1960, 12:35 p.m.

283. Department greatly reassured by Hammarskjold’s assessment of Congo situation as outlined USUN’s 5171 (being repeated Leopoldville and Brussels). However we are seriously disturbed by increasing number of reports of importation into Congo of arms or other subversive material on Soviet ships and aircraft purportedly transporting food and other peaceful goods (USUN’s 507,2 Athens [Page 447] 469,3 Paris Polto 2794). Request you indicate Dept’s concern to SYG soonest, ascertaining procedure for inspection and control of shipments which is followed in Leopoldville airport and other points of entry under UN control. You should also seek SYG’s views on steps which might be taken to tighten up controls or otherwise reduce dangers inherent in this situation. Urgency of problem indicated by imminent arrival in Congo of ten Soviet planes mentioned reftel from Athens. Believe UN could seek justify inspection and control on grounds it coordinating aid and rehabilitation (UN has contributed $5 million obtained from US, to finance essential imports) as well as being responsible for maintenance law and order.5

For Leopoldville: Request your views this matter and any recommendations you may have.

For Athens: Request you approach Greeks soonest to express concern over reported Soviet flights and to compliment them on their handling of Soviet request. Greek initiative fully justified and useful in discouraging unilateral Soviet move. You should express hope they will continue stand firm.6

For Rome and Ankara: Request you inform Italians and Turks of approach being made to Greeks, as Soviets may approach them also.7

Dillon
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/8–2660. Secret; Priority. Drafted by Cargo and by Robert H. Miller of the Office of Western European Affairs; cleared by Blue, Ferguson, Buffum, Director of the Office of Soviet Union Affairs John M. McSweeney, and in substance with the Office of Greek, Turkish, and Iranian Affairs; and approved by Wilcox. Also sent to Léopoldville, Athens, Rome, and Ankara and repeated to Brussels and Paris.↩
  2. Document 190.↩
  3. Dated August 25, telegram 507 reported concern about this possibility. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/8–2560)↩
  4. Dated August 25, telegram 469 reported that the Soviet Union had requested permission for 10 Soviet planes carrying “food” to the Congo to overfly Greece or land for refueling and that the Greek Government had granted permission with several provisos, including its right to inspect the cargo. (Ibid., 781.5461/8–2650)↩
  5. Dated August 26, Polto 279 reported a Belgian surmise that Lumumba wanted the planes to carry his forces to Katanga. (Ibid., 781.5461/8–2660)↩
  6. Telegram 524 from USUN, August 27, reported that Lodge had conferred with Weischhoff that day and had asked him to convey the Department’s concerns to the Secretary-General. (Ibid., 770G.00/8–2760)↩
  7. Telegrams 491 and 492 from Athens, August 28, reported that the Soviet planes were expected to refuel in Athens on August 29 and that their cargoes would be inspected on a random basis. (Both ibid., 781.5461/8–2860)↩
  8. Telegram 859 from Rome, August 29, and telegram 413 from Ankara, September 1, reported that the messages were conveyed to the Italian and Turkish Governments but that neither had been approached by the Soviets. (Ibid., 770G.00/8–2960 and 781.5461/9–160, respectively)↩