173. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
2209. Fol telecons from Dept, Stevenson called on Thant to discuss reports of continued fighting in Eville. Before Stevenson-Thant conversation, we discussed problem with Rikhye. We emphasized to him need for UN to get its story to press in view danger that UN appear be responsible for continued fighting. He promised arrange immediately for briefing of New York Times and other key reporters in UN press corps. Fol is UN’s account of recent situation in Eville as given us by Rikhye:
UN agreed to hold fire when Tshombe left for negotiations and after achievement of immediate objectives (which now achieved). At time of Tshombe’s departure from Eville, UN held fire for one hour while he left town. Fol that there were exchanges of fire, principally around Union Miniere HQs, and other places as well. Fighting resulted after heavy fire from Union Miniere HQs killed 6 or 8 Ethiopians and wounded many more. Such fighting ended as far as UN concerned at 7:00 on morning of Dec 19 when Tshombe got on plane and left Ndola for Kitona.
UN has kept letter of their agreement with US by establishing hold fire when Tshombe got on plane for Kitona. Since then there have been, as far as UN HQs is aware, no fire fights of any size. There has been, and there continues to be, sniping. UN’s position is that it will fire back when fired upon (and will maintain freedom of movement) but it will do no more and will treat such firing as local incidents.
Secretariat has no reports of any cases of molestation of women by Ethiopian troops. There have been cases of what U Thant calls “theft,” and appropriate action against guilty soldiers has been ordered.
As for Union Miniere offices, UN retaliated with heavy attack after several Ethiopians were killed and many wounded by heavy fire against UN forces.
When Stevenson saw Thant he checked foregoing account with Thant who confirmed it (Stevenson said we wished to get it confirmed as basis for discussion with US congressional reps and within State Dept, etc.).
Stevenson then raised with Thant question of mercenaries. Thant confirmed UN had no intention of engaging in mass arrests, etc., and [Page 333] said dealing with mercenaries would require lengthy screening and implied would be carried out systematically and carefully over period of time. He said he did not yet know what best process would be in screening out mercenaries. He mentioned Raja (UN-Eville) has list.
Stevenson asked about possible future UN action against Gizenga. Thant said UN prepared to act when there are visible signs of secessionist activities by Gizenga and after request from PM Adoula. He said so far UN not aware of overt secessionist activities but only of two reckless speeches Gizenga had recently given.
Stevenson asked Thant whether UN intended to provide constitutional advisor for GOC, and noted that Nigerian would be appropriate in view successful federal structure of that country. Thant said he hoped present mtg might produce agreement that Loi Fondamentale should be “reviewed in light of present circumstances.” He said he thought Adoula would accept such formulation if Tshombe would, and suggested we and anyone else who might have influence on or access to Tshombe urge him to take such position.
Thant noted Tananarive results not acceptable to Adoula and Loi Fondamentale unacceptable to Tshombe, but he thought Adoula would be willing to agree that objective should be constitutional revision in accordance with Loi Fondamentale if Tshombe would. If such agreement reached, Adoula could request UN to provide assistance in form of constitutional expert. Thant said he would then sound out Nigerian if we and UK agreed. Stevenson encouraged Thant in this course.
Thant said Bunche has not reported in detail on talks at Kitona; Bunche says atmosphere very much improved second day and relations now friendly and informal; he has added cryptic comment that he expected talks to end today “one way or another.”
At end of conversation Stevenson recalled Thant’s recent comment that Kibwe best alternative to Munongo should Tshombe for any reason fall from political leadership in Katanga. Thant said there might be advantage in taking steps to build up Kibwe’s public position in way which in no way involved UN or USG. For example, he said private US foundation or university might invite Kibwe to US. This would give him important public prestige within Katanga.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/12–2061. Confidential; Priority; Limited Distribution. Received at 5:58 a.m. on December 21 and repeated to Léopoldville and Brussels.↩
- Stevenson apparently reported this meeting with Thant in a telephone conversation with President Kennedy that evening. Telegram 2210 from USUN, December 20, states that after that conversation, USUN proposed to Narasimhan the issuance of a U.N. statement that U.N. objectives had been achieved and U.N. forces would not fire except in self defense, since such a statement might lead to a similar statement by Tshombe and lessen the danger of renewed hostilities. (Ibid.) A U.N. statement released to the press on December 21 stated that the hold-fire ordered on December 19 was still in force. (Tosec 23 to Bermuda, December 21; ibid., 770G.00/12–2161)↩