322. Memorandum From the President’s Deputy Special Assistant for National Security Affairs (Kaysen) to Secretary of State Rusk1
Yesterday the President reviewed the Congo situation with Under Secretary McGhee, Governor Williams, AID Director Hamilton and others. In the course of the review the President concluded that it will be useful for Mr. McGhee to return to the Congo shortly. This conclusion, in turn reflected the President’s judgment that we are near or at a decisive point in the Congo situation. If the Congolese leaders, and especially those in Léopoldville, do not show more movement and flexibility in dealing with the re-integration of Katanga, our further interference and support appears useless.
After the meeting, the President indicated that he would like an early review with you and those others you think appropriate of possible alternative courses of action, including, if necessary, paths of withdrawal from the Congo.
[Page 647]He would like this review before Mr. McGhee sets off. The timing depends on your convenience. Could you let me know when it appears possible for you to be brought up to date on the Congo situation, and have a meeting with the President on it.2
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/11–162. Secret.↩
- Swank sent this memorandum to McGhee with a covering note stating that he thought the timing of any meetings on the Congo would depend on McGhee’s readiness to present a course of action for discussion. (Ibid.) McGhee responded in a November 1 memorandum stating that he did not believe the President intended that he return to the Congo at any particular time but was leaving the timing to McGhee, who did not think the time for him to return had arrived. He offered to brief Rusk before the latter discussed the Congo with the President. (Ibid.)↩