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

284. Telegram From the Department of State to Certain Diplomatic Missions⁰

December 15, 1960, 9:45 p.m.

871. Depcirtel 840.¹ We are becoming increasingly concerned over likelihood Sudan being subjected to pressure from USSR, UAR and others to permit transit of military and other supplies from Bloc to build up Gizenga regime in Stanleyville and thus promote civil war in Congo.

On instructions, our Chargé has expressed to Sudanese FonMin our concern about this matter and is expected make same remarks to President Abboud in next few days.² While we have no confirmed information on Bloc and UAR initiatives to permit air transit military supplies to Stanleyville, there is increasing body reports to suggest Sudan coming under such pressure. (FYI. We also understand [less than 1 line of source text not declassified] that military governor for South Sudan at Juba is friendly to Gizenga and Congolese troops on Sudanese border are pro-Gizenga. End FYI.) If Gizenga regime receives recognition from Bloc and certain pro-Lumumba African countries, pressure for air and land communication via Sudan can be expected to increase.

In these circumstances we regard it important that West and responsible African countries exert appropriate countervailing influence and if necessary take tough line to prevent Sudan from becoming gateway for Communist supply to virtual satellite regime in Congo. Dangers to UN operation in Congo and to Western position in Africa in general are obvious if Gizenga regime can be built up by Communists. Result could be eventual Korean-type conflict. On other hand if Sudan denies facilities for such operation, problem for Communists would be much more difficult.

If you perceive no objection, you should enlist cooperation govt to which accredited, which believed in good position exert influence on Sudan, to take steps parallel to those we have taken and which we will continue to take, in attempt persuade Sudan hold firm line against use of its territory to supply military equipment to Gizenga regime.

Henderson

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/12–1560. Secret; Priority; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Herz; cleared by Satterthwaite, White, and Bohlen; and approved by Hare. Sent priority to London, Bonn, Tunis, and Lagos; repeated to Paris, Brussels, Cairo, Khartoum, Léopoldville, Moscow, and USUN; and pouched to 9 other African missions.
1. Circular telegram 840, December 9, sent to the embassies in 12 African and Asian capitals, warned that establishment of a separatist regime in Stanleyville would endanger Congolese unity and peace, especially if it was supported by the Soviet bloc and by other African states. It instructed the embassies to discuss these U.S. views with their host governments. (Ibid., 770G.00/12–960)
2. Telegrams 488 and 494 from Khartoum, December 16 and 20, reported that the Sudanese Foreign Minister had assured the Chargé that arms would not be shipped to Gizenga through the Sudan. (Ibid., 770G.00/12–1660 and 770G.56/12–2060, respectively)