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

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

Washington, October 25, 1962, 8:34 p.m.

645. Immediately following telegrams contain instructions on launching proposal for ANC training program under aegis UN.² First step is presentation of program to UN and Bunche.³ Program would also involve GOC contract with civilian air carriers to provide GOC with airlift capability.

This proposal is part of larger program which we feel must be vigorously pursued to strengthen position Adoula and his government so he will have sufficient incentive and freedom of action to deal with Katanga issue with flexibility required to reach agreement with Tshombe on carrying out of Plan. ANC training would supplement program for $50 million fund import grants and credits which, as described circular 693,⁴ we hope can be underwritten through increased contribution other interested governments. We are also considering other steps and would welcome any Emb suggestions.

Department particularly concerned over current lapse in negotiations for reintegration of Katanga—also over possibility reported by CAS that Adoula government may be overthrown if no progress is made on Katanga by November 5. Dept believes all action possible should be taken bolster GOC before Congo Parliament reconvenes on this date.

Embassy requested recommend means by which these various proposals can best be presented to GOC and made public in order achieve maximum effect.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/10–2562. Confidential. Drafted by Whitehouse and McGhee; cleared in draft by Fredericks, Acting Deputy Director of the Office of Western European Affairs Galen L. Stone, and by the Office of United Nations Political Affairs; and approved by McGhee. Repeated to USUN, Brussels, London, Oslo, Ottawa, Paris, Stockholm, Rome, and Tel Aviv.
2. Telegrams 1099, 1100, and 1101 to USUN, all October 25. Telegram 1099 summarized the U.S proposal that the Congolese Government should request the United Nations to institute a program of modernization and training, to be implemented by participating governments with U.N. coordination and supervision. It stated that a “Proposal for Modernization and Training of the ANC” outlining the structure of a desirable modernization and training program, based on the Greene team report, was being sent by pouch. Telegram 1100 set forth U.S. views on various aspects of the proposed program. Telegram 1101 transmitted the text of a proposal on “Implementation of the Proposal for Modernization and Training of ANC.” (All ibid., 770G.5/10–2562)
3. Telegram 1008 from Léopoldville, October 26, reported that Gullion had discussed the proposals with Bunche, who thought the plan would be very useful. (Ibid., 770G.5/10–2662)
4. Circular telegram 693, October 19, sent to Brussels for action and repeated to Léopoldville, USUN, Bonn, London, Paris, Elisabethville, Rome, and Tokyo, instructed MacArthur to stress with Spaak the importance of maximizing economic aid in order to strengthen Adoula’s position and enable him to continue cooperating with the United Nations. It proposed the creation of a $50-million fund in impact grants and credits to the Congolese Government during the next 6 months, of which the United States was prepared to provide $25 million in tied grant aid, in addition to U.S. food shipments. Belgium would provide $15 million and take the lead in approaching other governments for aid. (Ibid., 870G.10/10–1962)