Office of the Historian

157. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Embassy in France1

Léopoldville, December 13, 1961.

616. Paris for Secretary.

1.
Prime Min Adoula summoned me before breakfast this morning to plead that US refrain from any move for cease-fire in Katanga operations and that it discourage other powers from doing so. He had been alarmed by reports received during night that US had joined with UK and France calling for cease-fire.
2.
Adoula said such move would plunge country into full crisis. His govt was already severely tried and would surely fall.
3.
Adoula insisted cease-fire would turn Congo over to “East.” He said fact USSR “silent on Gizenga’s activities” while falling back on operations clearly showed it hoped profit by cease-fire push Gizenga into power.
4.
Adoula went on say generous US actions had “finally” begun register even with mass mind and was one of his govt’s assets. He would regret see all US aid wasted and US moral credit exhausted.
5.

Adoula insisted his govt had no intention subduing or enslaving Katanga; it merely wished bring Katanga back “within law.” Fundamental Law already being modified and Constitution being drafted, and he wanted Katanga participate this process. Moreover statute of Katanga itself would be only that which Katanga Provincial Assembly should develop. He had no punitive intentions.

Told Adoula I would pass along his views urgently. Said I could not deny that out of understandable concern, there were diplomatic pressures for cease-fire but that I knew of no tripartite declaration such as he had cited.

6.
Took occasion to say that it would contribute greatly to confirming support for his policies in my country if he could make even more categoric his views on Gizenga in public declaration and, if possible, in visit to US. Also urged him expand on his intentions with respect to Katanga in a public address, and also in tracts addressed to Katangese soldiers. (I referred him to Lincoln’s post-war policy, Second Inaugural, etc.)
7.
Adoula prepared denounce Gizenga but has again run into trouble in form of rift with Gbenye (Embtel 1477 rptd Paris 613).2 Said he had already undertaken explain break with Gizenga to African countries partly through Julien Kasongo mission. Read me telegram from latter from Cairo claiming Nasser promised withdraw support from Gizenga and remove UAR mission from Stan to Leo. Adoula agreed with me Gizenga certainly had other sources support. He did confirm no further financial advances from central govt were being made Gizenga.
Gullion
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/12–1461. Secret; Niact. Received at 10:26 a.m. on December 13 and repeated to USUN, Brussels, London, and the Department as telegram 1480, which is the source text. The source text, which is incorrectly dated December 14, does not indicate the time of transmission.↩
  2. Telegram 1477 from Léopoldville, December 12, reported that Gbenye had tried to dismiss Surete chief Nendaka, but that both sides seemed to be willing to put the quarrel aside for the time being. The Embassy commented that if Adoula backed Gbenye it would risk the breakup of the coalition government. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/12– 1261)↩