237. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
3780. Congo. Stevenson gave Thant brief report on London tripartite talks stressing areas of agreement and referring lightly to continuing disagreement with UK on means to be employed in achieving largely agreed objectives. Stevenson completed report by emphasizing desirability of making Gardiner mediation effort succeed if at all possible and, in event it should fail, of finding ways to proceed without necessity of SC debate.
Thant questioned Stevenson closely to see if any agreement reached on measures to be taken and in particular on his idea of stationing UN troops at Kipushi, Jadotville, and Kolwezi. Stevenson replied no agreement reached on such measure and in fact UK would oppose it unless Tshombe had accepted move so that it took place without fighting.
SYG said his thought was to convene SC, should Gardiner mediation effort not succeed, and present proposal that UN move troops into Kolwezi, Jadotville, and Kipushi. On basis of his talks with Spaak and initial reaction when this idea discussed with Dean (UK), he was hopeful UK abstain on such proposal after disassociating itself from it and possibly offering formal opposition. Thant asked question whether on basis of London talks we thought UK offer stiff resistance to proposal; for example would UK veto res or, as he had hoped, merely abstain. Yost said on basis of UK position London (which we did not reveal in detail) we feared such proposal in SC might indeed draw stiff UK resistance.
We raised tax collection scheme as advantageous alternative since tax collection scheme did not involve UN offensive movement; if fighting broke out it would be initiated by Katangans which would be important fact for public opinion. Also, in our judgment scheme could be put into effect without SC mtg.
Thant discussed justification for SC before any new strong measures taken and drift of his argument at first seemed to be SC decision required. However his comments were inconclusive on this point and in view of our estimation that UK active opposition likely be left open possibility of acting on basis of CAC consultation alone.
At beginning of conversations Stevenson had mentioned our greater sense of urgency about settling Katanga question compared with British. Thant later picked this up and said he had been following [Page 459] Indian press closely recently and had noticed beginning of “clamor” concerning need for Indian troops now in Congo to be recalled in view of tensions with Pak and Red China. From this as well as what he called “private info” he speculated Indian troops would not remain in Congo beyond Dec and they would begin talking about gradual disengagement within “couple of months.” He observed UN military presence in Congo had no meaning without Indian troops.
Thant noted what he called “paradox” in that those who supply money for Congo operation threatened withdrawal of funds if UN took offensive action. Those with troops in UN operation threaten withdrawal if UN did not take offensive soon. He said he had made point frankly to African and Asian reps that UN limited to what contributing countries would pay for and so far they had been “very understanding.” He noted in this connection there had been no reaction about Gizenga issue but he is concerned that time is running out. Meanwhile his “paradox” so far limits what he feels he can do if Gardiner mediation does not succeed.
Yost asked SYG what Gardiner considered prospects to be. Thant said Gardiner remains somewhat optimistic. He will offer his suggestions on how to proceed to Tshombe as soon as latter arrives in Leo, which should be today.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/5–1862. Secret; Limit Distribution. Received at 2:08 a.m. on May 19 and repeated to Léopoldville, Brussels, Paris, and London.↩