226. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State 0

783. Evidence has steadily accumulated that Ghana, Guinea and the UAR have been putting continuous and mounting pressures on Kasavubu and Ileo to reach a compromise with Lumumba. Their maximum goal is reestablishment of status quo ante dismissal Lumumba; failing that, at least his inclusion as one of ministers. I believe this move is sparkplugged by Nkrumah who clings to dream of Ghana–Guinea–Congo union as stepping stone to Nkrumization of Africa. If Lumumba is out of Congo, so is that part of dream.

In fact, Lumumba has amply demonstrated that all his instincts are destructive; he is master of attack but knows and cares nothing for pacification or construction. During his short reign terror and civil war were the order of the day. He would be a serious threat to peace and reconstruction out of the government; in it he would be or soon put himself in position to be, as disruptive as he has been.

I can think of no greater disservice to the realization of the aspirations of the Congolese people and to our own for them than to stand aside and let these three countries have the field to themselves in such pressure play. Believe our Embassies these countries should make plain our view that they should take the heat off, basing ourselves on non-interference, and adding that we feel Lumumba is bad medicine.

Timberlake
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/9–2260. Secret; Niact. Also sent to USUN and repeated to Brussels, Paris, London, Cairo, Conakry, and Accra.