250. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
New York, June 26,
1962, 10 p.m.
4119. Congo.
- 1.
- As planned, SYG this A.M. met with Spaak and Loridan (Belgium), Berard and Millet (France), Dean and Crowe (UK), and Yost. Narasimhan, Rikhye, Amachree2 and Rolz-Bennett from Secretariat also present.
- 2.
- SYG summarized what he had told Stevenson and Spaak yesterday. He will meet with CAC June 28 to give them the facts of situation as he sees it but will not discuss his views for next steps. His “chief concern” [Page 487] is financial problem for UN which Congo operation poses making it imperative that UN be able to withdraw much of military force by end of year. Thant said when he returns to New York about July 20 if situation is “still drifting as it is today” he will call mtg of SC to get new Congo mandate.
- 3.
- In SC he will propose economic sanctions against Katanga. He foresees three elements in program: (1) Based on agreement between the Belgian and Congo Govts at time of independence, Belgium should freeze all income for all parts of Congo in Brussels and hold it until political problem solved. (Money would not immediately be paid to Leo.) (2) If Tshombe tries to take action directly against major firms in Katanga (Thant mentioned UMHK and Tanganyika Concessions) UN troops would provide “absolute security” at installations. (3) When Lubilash Bridge completed near end of Aug, mineral exports would move from Katanga only via Matadi.
- 4.
- Thant said he realized all SC mtgs were unpleasant and this one would be no less than others; but if no progress by late July, the situation must be reviewed by Council. He noted Adoula has offered to include two Conakats in Cabinet of 18 (in addition to present Balubakat member) and has also confidentially offered Tshombe position of Vice-Pres of Republic. He said Tshombe had not yet given reply to this offer. (Thant noted in passing Tshombe probably not master in his own house and therefore trip to Eville at this time may be necessary to reassert influence.) Thant urged UK, France, and Belgium who had influence with Tshombe to use all their influence in direction of getting Tshombe and his party to participate in central govt on basis Adoula offer.
- 5.
- Spaak said on whole Thant’s policies were wise and Belgium should be able to support them. He agreed that if no political solution came soon, economic measures should be tried next and said he would speak with his govt as soon as he arrived in Brussels to try to devise ways of supporting Thant’s plans.
- 6.
- Dean said he could not make comment. Obviously UK favors end of secession and successful talks but he believed UK continued to be worried about force and strongly opposed to any action which might lead to use of force. Spaak replied that threat of program along lines outlined by Thant must be made to Tshombe; if no solution found soon, we will face chaos in remainder of Congo.
- 7.
- Millet said France favored end of Katanga secession.
- 8.
- Narasimhan repeated importance of putting pressure on Tshombe now while he is in Eville, in particular to get his participation in central govt as offered by Adoula and in general so that talks may be successful when he returns to Leo. Narasimhan also urged that none of [Page 488] govts represented participate in any way in “independence day” celebrations in Eville July 11.
- 9.
- Re celebrations, Rikhye said Katanga wants to bring into Eville 1000 troops, mostly from Kolwezi and Jadotville. This would raise total in city to 4000 which he said was too many in view of size of UN forces. He foresaw that local UN commander would have to refuse Katanga proposal.
- 10.
- Yost expressed U.S. hope progress soon be made through Gardiner’s mediation efforts. But if not, situation could not be allowed to drag on; both because of UN financial problem and because of precarious situation of GOC. Economic pressures should be applied rigorously and enforced if necessary. Threat of their application should be put promptly to Tshombe. We are in full accord with kind of measures cited by SYG but continue to have reservations about SC mtg.
- 11.
- Thant then referred to Amachree’s recent visit to Washington where he was briefed on U.S. efforts to raise funds to meet present Congolese emergency. Yost said there were two needs to be met urgently. One was to provide adequate financial assistance to Congo and other was to develop controls over funds which would make expenditure effective.
- 12.
- Both at beginning and end of mtg, Thant urged that what was said be closely held.
Plimpton