Office of the Historian

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

Washington, August 27, 1962, 7:46 p.m.

351. Eyes only for Ambassador from Secretary. Language quoted your 4712 is correct. However, it seems to me fundamental that our maximum effort should be concentrated upon getting agreement to the reconciliation proposal. All other questions (such as exactitude of ten-day period or even question when ten days begin to run) are subordinate to possibilities peaceful settlement Congo problem within federal structure. Various moves now being undertaken are not, I am sure you are aware, a formality through which we are going in order to reach an automatic application of enforcement measures. The main object is agreement, and on this there is a high degree of unity among principal governments.

Any conclusion that there is no possibility of peaceful settlement would raise very grave and far-reaching questions. The unwillingness or legal inability of key governments to impose economic sanctions has now been made apparent. Attempted military solution offers most unpromising answer at end of road.

Believe therefore that we should concentrate on getting agreement to reconciliation proposal. If this fails, then key governments and UN would have to consider matter further. This does not mean that reconciliation plan plus “course of action” have been repealed or that SYG may not follow them in course of carrying out his own responsibilities. It does mean that failure of agreed solution would open up tortuous paths upon which we do not wish to embark if it can be avoided.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/8–2762. Secret; Priority. Drafted and approved by Rusk and cleared by Ball and Williams.↩
  2. In telegram 471, August 27, Gullion requested confirmation of the fourth sentence in paragraph 1 under Phase II in the Course of Action paper, noting that the Embassy’s version read as follows: “If Katanga authorities indicate they will refuse or delay, governments will advise them that, if proposal not accepted within 10 days, governments will, if requested by GOC, take all measures, etc.” (Ibid.)↩