232. Editorial Note
At the 461st meeting of the National Security Council on September 29, Director of Central Intelligence Allen Dulles commented on developments in the Congo during his briefing on significant world developments, and a brief discussion followed. The relevant portion of the memorandum of discussion by Deputy NSC Executive Secretary Marion W. Boggs, dated September 29, reads as follows:
“Turning to the Congo, Mr. Dulles reported that political jockeying was still in progress with the position of Mobutu’s government, if Mobutu’s collection of technicians and graduate students could be called a government, remaining rather tenuous. Mobutu had received support from Kasavubu. Meanwhile, Lumumba is still at large under the protection of the UN as represented by Dayal, who prevented Lumumba’s arrest some days ago. The Ghana contingent in the UN forces is also protecting Lumumba, [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] Lumumba is still being supported by the UAR, Ghana, and Guinea and also by Morocco. Morocco’s attitude is particularly important because of the large number of Moroccan troops now in the Congo. [2 lines of source text not declassified] Mobutu arrested Gizenga; under UN pressure, however, the latter was released in a short time. Lumumba is engaged in trying to mount a counter-coup. As a result of Ghana’s protest to the UN Secretary General, any decision to remove the Ghana contingent from the Congo has been either rescinded or deferred, a development which will make the position of Mobutu and Kasavubu much more difficult. Mr. Dulles said the press was now [Page 510] carrying a report of the discovery of an incriminating letter among Lumumba’s effects. The letter, addressed to Lumumba and signed by Nkrumah, makes references to increased Soviet assistance to Lumumba and demonstrates in various passages Nkrumah’s close association with Lumumba. As yet there has been no opportunity to study this letter or to obtain information as to its authenticity. Its authenticity, however, appeared to be vouched for by the Ghanaian Chargé d’Affaires in the Congo, who is said to have delivered the letter. Meanwhile, the economy of the Congo is deteriorating. A recent report by Dayal warns of the possibility of the plague and a smallpox epidemic, indicates that there is a shortage of doctors, refers to the large number of abandoned farms, stresses the inter-tribal fighting going on in Kasai, mentions a quarter of a million refugees, and concludes that no government or administration exists in the Congo.
“Secretary Dillon said that according to a report from New York, Bomboko was returning to the Congo temporarily for a meeting of political leaders which would include Lumumba and Tshombe, and which would be chaired by Bomboko, who is also chairman of Mobutu’s government of technicians. The meeting will attempt to agree on a new constitutional structure for the Congo consisting of a confederation along tribal lines. Apparently twelve tribes are involved and no tribe will be represented unless it has at least 500,000 members. Bomboko is hopeful that this confederation scheme will solve some of the Congo’s problems. In any case, Mr. Dillon supposed a decision along tribal lines would be popular in the Congo. Mr. Dulles said he was concerned because Lumumba was scheduled to attend this conference. He thought Lumumba would certainly create confusion.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)
The report by Dayal to which Dulles referred was his first progress report to the Secretary-General, dated September 21; for text, see U.N. doc. S/4531.