187. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Congo1

1222. For Ambassador from Secretary. View developments in Congo Dept hopes it will soon be possible for Adoula to undertake his long deferred visit to US on basis and for reasons outlined Deptel 797.2

UNGA resumed session commences Jan 15 and in view mounting Congressional interest in Congo it would be helpful if Adoula visit could take place as soon as possible. Visit might be combined with his participation in heads of government meeting in Lagos Jan 25,3 with Adoula visiting Lagos on his way to or from US.

However Adoula should not come until Gizenga censure motion (Embtel 1726)4 has been passed. This is most important to his stature in US and will be helpful to him as well as to Dept in dealing with Congressional and press questions and criticisms of GOC policy. If you deem it appropriate you should make this point to Adoula.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.70G11/1–662. Confidential; Limit Distribution. Drafted by Whitehouse and Carlucci, who was now in the Office of Central African Affairs; cleared by Williams, Wallner, Assistant Secretary of State for Congressional Relations Frederick G. Dutton, NSC Executive Secretary Bromley K. Smith, and McGhee; and approved by Rusk. Repeated to Brussels and USUN.
  2. Telegram 797, November 11, conveyed a message from Rusk instructing Gullion to encourage Adoula to visit the United States to address the U.N. General Assembly. If he did so, the President would welcome an informal meeting with him. (Ibid., 033.70G11/11–1161)
  3. Information concerning the Conference of African and Malagasy Heads of State and Government, which met in Lagos January 25–30, is printed in American Foreign Policy: Current Documents, 1962, p. 791.
  4. Telegram 1726, January 2, reported that the introduction of a censure motion was expected and that it would almost certainly be approved. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/1–262)