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

229. Telegram From Secretary of State Rusk to the Department of State¹

Athens, May 6, 1962, 3 a.m.

Secto 54. In brief meeting with Home and Spaak,² Secretary reported that President and Macmillan in their talks last Sunday on Congo had discussed desirability of US, UK and Belgian representatives meeting in London to concert views on Congo and to devise plans and measures to carry out such plans. Secretary gave his assessment of present situation in Congo along lines set forth in Tosec 43³ noting that Adoula’s position was deteriorating rapidly as was our influence with him. Secretary proposed that three countries determine what should and could be done and stressed importance of avoiding third round. He thought that with three countries in agreement and with support of UN/SYG and private companies in Congo, something could be accomplished. He said two key elements of plan should be creation of Congolese constitution along federal lines with somewhat less power for central government than provided by present fundamental law and arrangements for equitable division of tax revenues between central and provincial governments.

Home expressed general agreement with proposal for meeting and with Secretary’s assessment. He stated however, that difficulty was not in deciding what should be done but how to impose whatever plan might be devised. He would “not be happy about the use of force.” UN seemed to be running into sand, and there is important question of what to do if UN pulls out of Congo.

Spaak also agreed with proposal and Secretary’s assessment and stressed very serious deterioration on Congolese economic and financial situation.⁴ He acknowledged that Bantu palaver was not progressing though he felt Gardiner’s good offices offered some promise. He stated his government was thinking in terms of a broad economic, financial, political, and technical assistance plan for Congo. (To Secretary’s question regarding military components, Spaak replied “not yet” in view of sensitivity on this subject.) As to financial help, he believed that it should be doled out in installments to Adoula rather than giving latter large lump sums which would be quickly dissipated. He mentioned difficulties currently experienced by Union Miniere which an agreement between central and provincial governments on tax revenues would help resolve. He expressed cautious optimism concerning possible success of broad plan such as he had mentioned.

Secretary asked if anyone had confirmation of report that Adoula planned to visit Moscow later this month, but only knowledge others had was of invitation extended at time of Adoula’s New York visit.

Home again raised question of how plan could be carried out stressing his view that it could not be imposed. Secretary said US felt it had influence with U Thant and that with latter’s agreement and three-power support something could be done. Home had earlier mentioned possibility of Soviet veto in UN, but both Secretary and Spaak believed UN/SYG free to act under existing resolutions.

There was firm agreement that London talks be secret. Home mentioned idea of appointing Lord Dundee⁵as British Representative. Kohler suggested that in interest of secrecy US would be inclined towards appointment of someone at Deputy Assistant Secretary level. Owing to commencement of NATO session, meeting broke up without discussion of date for London meeting.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/5–662. Secret; Limit Distribution. Repeated to London, Brussels, Paris, New Delhi, Tunis, Khartoum, USUN, Lagos, Léopoldville, and Usumbura.
2. On May 5.
3. Document 226.
4. Spaak stressed this aspect of the situation in a brief discussion of the Congo with Rusk on May 6, reported in Secto 84, May 7. (Department of State, Central Files, 375.800/5–762)
5. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.