Foreign Relations of the United States, 1961–1963, Volume XX, Congo Crisis

147. Telegram From the Embassy in France to the Department of State¹

Paris, December 5, 1961, 3 p.m.

2918. Message contained Deptel 3170² delivered to Tshombe 11 a.m. Paris time. Tshombe listened attentively and then made following comments:

1. He could not understand USG which “lives on illusions.” Katanga is natural friend of US. If Katanga fails US cannot hope save Congo.

2. He reiterated readiness meet Adoula anywhere outside Congo. “I would rather jump out of window than go Léopoldville.”

3. Re Kasavubu, Tshombe had expressly recognized him as President Federation Congo in act of Tananarive. Recalled both Kasavubu and Adoula had signed that document and undertaken obligations therein.

4. Last time Tshombe had sent Katanga Parliamentarians to Léopoldville they had been threatened with arrest and had to flee to Brazzaville. He ready send them back to Léopoldville but must have guarantees their security.

5. Tshombe was very bitter re Stevenson speech in UNSC which he said had excited everyone. Tshombe had thought USG would try find way for reconciliation, “instead you supported Russians.” If UN tries attack Katanga by force, no one will benefit “not even US.”

In reply to Embassy officer’s query, Tshombe said he had not yet decided whether to [go?] Brazil or not and refused be drawn out re future plans.

[1 paragraph (7-1/2 lines of source text) not declassified]

Gavin

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/12–561. Confidential; Niact. Received at 12:47 p.m. and repeated to Brussels, Léopoldville, USUN, and Elisabethville.
2. Telegram 3170, December 4, instructed the Embassy in Paris to get the following message to Tshombe: “Tshombe’s insistence on independence or even autonomy is stumbling block to useful dealings with central govt, and we suggest, for his own good, he drop it. This stumbling block, we believe, can be removed if Tshombe: (1) publicly acknowledges Kasavubu as President of a unified Congo and (2) takes steps to send Katangan representatives to Parliament.” (Ibid., 770G.00/12–461)