349. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State1
1353. Eyes only Ambassador. Adoula summoned me at 1500. In striking contrast to his mood of last few days, he was brisk, confident and cordial. Said he wished me to know there was grave discontent in Army. Minister of Defense Anany had told him that had Government [Page 711] fallen on vote of no confidence Army would have arrested Parliamentarians.
Adoula said Army was still more disturbed because there was now before Parliament motion against Thant Plan. He was informing President of two Chambers he could not permit such discussion. Army was at front in support of Thant Plan and country salvation was committed to it. Adoula showed me telegram to Gardiner from Bunche received today in which Bunche expressed gave misgivings about action of Parliament and said there should be no weakening on Plan on verge of satisfactory results. Adoula said if Parliament went ahead with discussion it would be dissolved.
Motion about Thant Plan was Abako submission. He had asked to see President Kasavubu leader of Abako but had received word President was “absent.” This did not seem to bother Adoula. I did not comment on Adoula’s revelations but said I would report them. I did ask how long Parliament vacation might last.
He replied “X Days” which he said for him meant the life of the Legislature, i.e. about one year. I asked whether he had given any thought to calling a Constituent Assembly. Adoula said he was thinking about it.
Adoula said maybe Tshombe had good thing in convening Provincial Assembly only now and then.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/12–862. Confidential; Niact; Limit Distribution. Received at 2:35 p.m. and repeated to Brussels.↩