328. Telegram From the Embassy in the United Kingdom to the Department of State1
1853. For Secretary and Under Secretary from McGhee. Held discussions yesterday Brussels with top reps Belgian companies in Congo and later at dinner and into evening with Spaak and other members GOB FonOff. Spaak accepted proposal embodied in talking paper which you approved and undertook to convince companies today. Although I attempted condition companies for ultimate acceptance I did not, as indicated in talking paper for them which you also saw,2 put to them specific proposal which felt should come from GOB. Chances for immediate and unqualified acceptance by companies not considered too good.
Will hold general discussion Congo here today with Lord Home and later with other members FonOff, but will not go into all of specifics of proposal to Spaak. Plan return to Brussels in the morning for final meeting with Spaak at which time will learn response he obtained from companies. Also hope to finalize joint plan of action which Fredericks working on with FonOff today. Since any further efforts my part in Congo should, I believe, await not only final decision of companies which may not be available tomorrow but further consultations with U Thant and Bunche and some prior notification Adoula, do not consider it advisable to proceed Congo directly.3 Unless you advise to contrary I plan, therefore, return Washington late tomorrow.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 855.05170G/11–1462. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution.↩
- The talking papers have not been found.↩
- A November 8 memorandum from Kennedy to Rusk reads as follows: “After George McGhee goes to Brussels, should he not continue on to Léopoldville and Elisabethville? “If so, should he be accompanied by Governor Williams to Léopoldville?” (Ibid.)↩