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

332. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State¹

New York, November 19, 1962, 8 p.m.

1864. Eyes only Secretary and McGhee. Eyes only Ambassadors. Reference: Brussels 669 [699] to Department (Misun 18);² USUN 1839.³ Congo. During meeting this afternoon SYG and Bunche commented further to Yost and Stevenson on Congo proposal presented by McGhee November 16.

They were sympathetic to what they described as “new plan” but suggested it should be presented to Adoula by US and Belgium rather than by Gardiner. They were skeptical of its being sold to Adoula, particularly because of what they understood to be allocation by GOC back to Union Miniere of 40 percent foreign exchange received from Union Miniere. They also doubted that, since Constitution already before Parliament, Adoula would be willing to discuss any modification with Tshombe outside Parliamentary framework.

We explained (1) the proposal is not “new plan” but refinement of reconciliation plan, (2) that it therefore seemed appropriate for Gardiner to introduce it with US, Belgium and UMHK following up, and (3) that allocation foreign exchange would be made as [by] IMF and 40 percent was merely illustrative figure.

SYG finally said that Gardiner might submit proposal to Adoula as US suggestion and might support it. We had impression that, if Gardiner himself thinks well of idea, SYG might authorize him to go somewhat further. Thant also suggested he might sound out Bomboko who is en route to New York but we discouraged this idea, pointing out that Bomboko might prejudice Adoula against proposal before it was adequately explained to him by those fully acquainted with it.

SYG noted that he did not expect to call CAC meeting at this time but would speak to important members separately. However if there had not been agreement by Adoula and Tshombe with new proposal within two weeks, he would feel obliged to call SC meeting for first week in December in order lay impasse before it. He would submit to SC at that time his recommendations for next steps, which he would previously have submitted in writing to US, UK and Belgium after consultation with Gardiner. Some of these steps might of course be taken in conjunction with McGhee proposal if that should be accepted. He referred to some of these next steps as including (1) GOC refuse all commercial firms and banks doing business in Katanga permission to operate elsewhere in Congo, (2) sanctions by GOC against shipping companies carrying Katangese copper ore from Luwanda, (3) activation of GOC Customs and Immigration officials at points in Katanga where they can be protected by UN. Bunche pointed out this was going back to original US customs collection scheme. GOC Customs officials might be stationed not only in Elisabethville but eventually (perhaps when Kaunda takes over power in Northern Rhodesia) at Kipushi and at exit point from Katanga into Angola.

It was greed there should be further consultations between us as soon as views of Gardiner and Gullion concerning new proposal have been received.

Stevenson

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/11–1962. Top Secret. Repeated to London and Brussels.
2. Document 331.
3. Telegram 1839 from USUN, November 16, reported a conversation in which McGhee told Thant and Bunche about his discussions in Brussels and London and presented the second suggestion in telegram 699, Document 331. Thant reacted favorably but suggested meeting early the following week with Gardiner to discuss the proposal in more detail. (Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/11–1662) At the November 16 meeting, Thant also gave McGhee a new list of requests for U.S. logistic support, including the airlift of a number of vehicles to Elisabethville. In a November 28 memorandum to McGhee, Cleveland reported on the status of these requests and requested authorization to resume the internal airlift. According to a handwritten note on the memorandum, McGhee showed it to the President, who approved the course of action. (Washington National Records Center, RG 59, UNP Congo Files: FRC 71 A 5255, Item 69 (Lot 65 D 219), Congo– Congressional)