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

256. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Congo¹

Washington, July 7, 1962, 5:03 p.m.

41. Following based on uncleared memcon² is summary of Bomboko and Kamitatu³ two-hour meeting with Secretary, Ball and McGhee on July 5.

Secretary opened conversation by saying that there was no other problem including Berlin on which President, Secretary and senior colleagues have spent as much time as Congo. This fact a measure USG’s deep interest in future welfare Congolese people.

Bomboko then gave full chronological account of negotiations with Tshombe since Kitona stressing Tshombe’s elusiveness and intransigence. Bomboko and Kamitatu emphasized gravity Congo situation and predicted Adoula Govt might be overthrown in August by Tshombe coalition with MNC and PSA extremists unless prompt solution found to Katanga crisis. New pressures on Tshombe are therefore necessary.

Secretary asked about significance Tshombe’s action in naming his members to four commissions. Bomboko replied GOC troubled by action since Tshombe had earlier insisted that final communique a prerequisite to bring commissions into being and Tshombe had refused sign final communique until certain conditions met. Appointment Katangan members commissions could be interpreted as renunciation conditions. Secretary said might be worthwhile for GOC appoint members to commissions to test whether Tshombe had abandoned conditions. Bomboko replied GOC studying new situation to exploit every possibility of concluding matter peacefully.

Subsequent discussion focused principally on desirability GOC making clear its position on constitutional and other arrangements to be made with Tshombe in order provide reasonable basis on which US and European countries can base pressure on Tshombe with wide popular and Congressional support.

In course this discussion Bomboko stated draft constitution drawn up by Constitutional Commission with Conakat representatives has now been approved by GOC and submitted by it to Parliament as Projet de Loi. It provides for a federal form of govt. It was suggested this be published.

Secretary stated GOC could be assured USG determined do all it can to bring about early settlement. If there is any way Katanga crisis can be settled promptly without further violence, we would prefer this course. Only purpose further violence could have would be to facilitate settlement. If settlement could be reached without it, Congolese and all concerned would obviously be better off.

Bomboko asked why USG permits Struelens to continue his activities in US. Ball replied that Struelens’ activities not in violation US law, which reflects long US tradition of freedom speech. Pointed out that number representatives of other non-recognized or non-existent regimes carry on similar activities in US. Ball took this occasion to emphasize again real problem with US public opinion is not Struelens but insufficiently clear public picture GOC’s position.

McGhee asked if there was law requiring all foreign exchange and taxes be paid to central government and if there was legal basis for suit to enforce such payments to central government. Kamitatu replied that there was gap, that Loi Fondamentale contemplated that such law would be passed, and that GOC had discussed passage such law during most recent Adoula-Tshombe talks. Tshombe had insisted that only fiscal commission should propose basic terms for such law. In course this discussion Bomboko reiterated that Loi Fondamentale clearly envisaged payment of foreign exchange and taxes to central government and also that only central government could be considered as owner of portfolio.

In conclusion Ball stated USG shared anxiety GOC re present drift and is working hard obtain increased Belgian and British support. Reason we suggest publication of position of GOC is to help us marshal more support. We recognize time not necessarily working for GOC or for peaceful solution.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–762. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Vance, cleared by Wallner and Fredericks, and approved by McGhee. Repeated to Brussels, London, Paris, and USUN.
2. Drafted by Vance. (Ibid., 770G.13/7–562)
3. Kamitatu was at this time Minister of the Interior.