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

217. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, March 26, 1962, 7 p.m.

3168. Congo. Department telegram 2467.²

1. Stevenson called on Thant and Bunche this a.m. and gave them contents reference telegram (in addition we gave Bunche summary in writing at his request of Department’s tax collection proposal). Thant and Bunche both were sympathetic to tax collection proposal and its implications; Thant said it was very much in keeping with his views; said he wished send idea to Gardiner for his comments before giving decision. Thant and Bunche were particularly interested to hear assurances that US did not see proposal as bluff and that US would support UN action along lines proposed, even if force required.

2. Thant felt there was time to get Gardiner’s views before taking final decision in view of latest information from Gardiner which indicated talks, while difficult, did not appear verge of breakdown. Bunche reported Gardiner had been in communication with Tshombe orally and in writing over week-end. Gardiner received assurance from Tshombe he would not maintain his insistence on Katangan Parliamentary ratification for any agreement with Adoula. Tshombe also sent Gardiner note yesterday saying he would exercise great patience in talks which he expected go on for some time. Tshombe suggested he and Adoula meet alone without advisors. (Bunche subsequently informed us Adoula invited Tshombe for private talk 6 p.m. Monday.)

3. Thant asked Stevenson for estimation of impact on UN bond issue in Congress if UN assisted tax collection in Elisabethville to point where fighting occurred. Bunche noted UN not even responding to Katangan road blocks in Elisabethville for fear of upsetting prospects of bond issue. Stevenson said he thought it important for UN to act effectively; ineffectiveness in long run be more damaging to Congressional opinion than effective action in Elisabethville. Stevenson said he would be in Washington this afternoon but will return New York late tomorrow and would give Thant his impressions of bond situation and likely Congressional reaction to enforced tax collection in Elisabethville.

4. Stevenson noted we intend discuss tax collection contingency plan with Belgian Government in view of implications for UMHK. After some discussion Thant and Stevenson agreed it would be preferable not discuss matter with Belgian Government (although we realize this may already have been done)³ until SYG had Gardiner’s reaction.

5. Bunche said GOC tax collection in Katanga would logically lead to GOC collectors in Kolwezi and Jadotville and then UN would have to station forces there to protect GOC personnel. We agreed sooner or later way would have to be found to check on shipments out of Kolwezi and Jadotville but effective action in first instance could be taken at Elisabethville alone through control of sulphuric acid from Kipushi. (Bunche also noted first reaction of Katangans to proposal likely to be suggestion GOC start collecting taxes in territory it already controlled.)

Plimpton

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/3–2662. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Léopoldville, Brussels, London, and Paris.
2. Document 216.
3. Telegram 1799 from Brussels, March 27, reported that MacArthur had presented the tax collection proposal to Spaak, who indicated that he did not believe it was possible to agree in advance to a specific course of action and urged patience with respect to the Adoula-Tshombe talks. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/3–2762)