255. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
21. Deptels 6 and 8 to USUN.2 Yost, Sisco, Vance and Dickinson met with SYG, Bunche, and Gardiner this afternoon to discuss “Gardiner” formula of constitutional arrangements and practical measures (reftels).
It was immediately and strikingly apparent however that package approach not what they have in mind, however much they may approve individual elements of package. Gardiner still fol commission approach and encouraged (soberly optimistic) by Tshombe notification to Adoula and UN of names of commission members. First step in his view is acceptance by Adoula of this move as de facto ratification of mandates outlined in recent Leo talks in spite failure sign joint communique. SYG and Bunche fully supported Gardiner’s unwillingness to introduce any new package into negotiations at this advanced stage.
Although Yost pressed for idea of how much time Gardiner thought commissions should be allowed for production results, Gardiner refused commit self. He hoped four weeks might be sufficient. He does think Belgians should maintain pressure on Tshombe and mentioned this respect Belgian withdrawal or threat withdrawal of technicians, accompanied by pressure on companies to refuse payment duties to Katanga. Latter step in his view should be accompanied by request to UN by companies that it protect their properties.
SYG, who obviously preoccupied with number matters on last day in New York, took exception to idea it within UN competence to suggest to Adoula what Constitution arrangements he should make. Gardiner added Tshombe would find fault with any constitutional provisions. At same time Adoula very sensitive this subject. Gardiner then suggested we might discuss constitutional problem with Bomboko when he visits Washington.
SYG thought it important that Consuls not attend July 11 independence ceremonies Katanga and said UN has approached govts concerned. We said US willing support their efforts. SYG thought effort should also be made convince Tshombe of need abandon July 11 plans but had no practical proposal how accomplish this.
Yost again sought pin down timetables for completion work of commissions, stressing necessity avoid drift. However, it was clear that [Page 501] neither Thant nor Gardiner yet prepared establish time limits. SYG, after talking Gardiner and Bomboko, now seems less positive and precise in his proposals than he was last week. He did not once mention SC mtg, as he had done on previous occasions. He proposed further assessment of situation after his return from Europe July 20. In reply Yost’s query what we can best do in meantime, he said exert strongest possible pressures on Tshombe.
Mtg revealed one thing beyond doubt: We cannot just produce a plan and expect UN adopt it. Most our points are in their scheme of things and are already embedded in negotiations and in commissions’ mandates. We should follow UN negotiations closely as we have been doing, letting them know if we see something we think is off base or is omitted. We must simply accept fact Gardiner, with Thant and Bunche backing, is proceeding on own course, but remain alert to make individual suggestions we think helpful. Our most effective contribution at the moment will be in devising, selling to our friends and applying pressures which might induce Tshombe to work honestly and rapidly in commission framework. SYG is at moment slightly reassured by Gardiner’s report and attitude, but he is likely to return to SC gambit if by July 20 no substantial progress has been made, particularly if British and French seem reluctant re pressures.
We hope submit before end of week more thorough assessment Congo prospects as seen from here.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–362. Confidential. Repeated to Léopoldville, Brussels, London, Paris, and Elisabethville.↩
- The reference should be to telegrams 8 and 9 to USUN, which were sent as telegrams 6 and 7 to Brussels; see Document 254 and footnote 1 thereto.↩