Office of the Historian

29. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the United Kingdom1

Washington, February 15, 1961, 6:57 p.m.

3946. Following based on uncleared Mem/Con.2

Secretary called in Caccia Feb. 15 for brief review Congo situation. In light Soviet declaration and recognition by UAR, Ghana and others of Stanleyville regime, Sec said we may be faced with situation on ground in Congo involving elements of UNOC acting independently of UN command and also direct intervention by Soviets on their own or through UAR or other power in attempting airlift to Stanleyville, adding that Sudan may not continue withstand combined USSR–UAR pressure.

We are considering, and Sec hoped HMG will be considering, on contingency basis what we would do if above events occurred and UN lost control of situation. In face of outright defiance of UN, Sec thought that SYG could conceivably ask other powers for assistance including possibly UK and US. We were examining what response we might make to such a request and Sec wondered what UK military forces, including aircraft, were available in area. We were also considering a means of providing the SYG with good military advice. Pointing out that we had already approached Sudan urging her to stand firm on transit issue,3 Sec said we were also approaching UAR and other states likely to recognize Gizenga warning them of the grave view we would take of any intervention on the latter’s behalf.4 We were also enlisting through the Indian Ambassador here his government’s assistance in pointing out to UAR and other neutrals danger of operating outside UN framework or in defiance of UN.5 He hoped that HMG would urgently consider parallel diplomatic approaches. Finally expressed hope we would continue closely to concert our views in this dangerous period.

Rusk
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/2–1561. Secret; Priority. Drafted and approved by Wallner and cleared by Swank and Mau. Repeated to Brussels, Léopoldville, New Delhi, Paris, and USUN.↩
  2. Not found.↩
  3. Telegram 421 to Khartoum, February 14, so instructed the Embassy. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/2–1461)↩
  4. Telegram 1593 to Cairo, February 15, instructed the Embassy to set forth U.S. views to Nasser. (Ibid., 770G.00/2–661)↩
  5. Telegram 2211 to New Delhi, February 16, summarized a telephone conversation the previous day between Rusk and Indian Ambassador Chagla. (Ibid., 770G.00/2–1661)↩