299. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State1
769. Department also pass information White House. For Acting Secretary from McGhee. USUN for Secretary and Stevenson. Ambassador Gullion, Fredericks and I met four hours today with Adoula, Minister Justice and Minister Education, who has just returned from hearings of Elisabethville commissions.2 Discussion centered entirely on Katanga question, largely status of reunification plan and question of consultation with Tshombe on constitution. Minister Education reported no progress in commissions in which Katangan members, largely Europeans, had injected position completely at variance with plan. Congolese officials have already concluded that, as in previous negotiations with Tshombe, commissions will produce no concrete results.
I put forward to Adoula case for constitutional consultation, drawing heavily on US domestic political considerations emphasized in meeting with President. I also pointed out that whether or not consultations would result in Tshombe’s being willing carry out plan, chances would, in absence consultations, be greatly reduced. They were therefore [Page 590] necessary part of any final report with Tshombe through my visit and proposed subsequent visit by Gardiner. They were also needed build necessary political support for any stronger measures which might have to be taken by UN, US, Belgium and other interested countries in event plan failed. Adoula and UN must be in position of having exhausted every reasonable possibility. To many, particularly those who are already skeptical of UN policy in the Congo, it would appear reasonable that Tshombe consulted on constitution before he asked give up half his revenues, control of his army and his present cherished independence.
Adoula, who was meeting immediately thereafter with his Cabinet to present copies of draft constitution, rejected these arguments categorically. Made long opening statement designed to show Tshombe’s power grown to present frightening proportions because “West” intervened repeatedly since 1960 to urge new negotiations or settlements, none of which Tshombe carried out. Our present move opened up prospect of further delay which could not be accepted. He emphasized he had carried out every act required him and Tshombe had done nothing.
Adoula brushed aside argument that Katanga, its assets and powers were “facts” to be reckoned with. Katanga was in state of illegality, in rebellion, and had to be dealt with, although this now harder.
If UN could not do it (and he argued UN failing carry out its mandate and preventing him from carrying out his) he would ask UN to withdraw so GOC could assume its responsibilities.
We had argued public opinion considerations in Western countries. He had his own. Here he rehearsed with considerable heat his familiar arguments on juridical and political grounds to effect Tshombe demands specious, his views well known, and often presented, Parliament was the only constituent body, and Tshombe must take his chances in it like other provinces. (Perhaps because ministers present he did not dwell much on political weakness his own government except to say opposition would use constitution to get him out.)
In short, he will not consent to any separate constitutional consultations with Katanga before presentation to Parliament which he said would take place as soon as comments received from Cabinet.
In response to suggestion Gardiner go to Elisabethville immediately after my visit for one last mediatory effort within framework of plan, Adoula responded that this was Gardiner’s decision and in fact he wondered why he had not gone before. He also pointed out ruefully additional delay this would cause.
Meeting ended on cordial note with discussion of other outstanding matters being postponed to subsequent sessions.