369. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Belgium1
916. For McGhee from Manning. You should know that Nassau press backgrounder today by Ball and Nitze on President’s orders2 disclosed U.S. will send military mission to Congo. Group to be headed by Lt. General Truman will leave shortly for two-week survey of state of U.N. military forces in Congo. Department confirming story.
Press officers adding on background that principal purposes of mission will be to ascertain present capacity of U.N. to maintain law and order and to examine state of forces and equipment in event of possible U.N. request for additional assistance of kind U.S. has been providing in order support U.N. reconciliation plan. Also emphasizing here that mission being undertaken in cooperation with U.N. and that SYG has been informed.
Wire services stress mission will also seek to assess ability of Congo to resist any Soviet attempt to take advantage of growing tension in Congo. Department pointing out that this always a concern in deteriorating situation.
FYI, reasons given from Nassau for backgrounding this time were desire to stress urgency of Congo question on Nassau agenda and reduce Nassau focus on Skybolt question.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.5811/12–1862. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by Robert J. McCloskey, Special Assistant to Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs Robert J. Manning; cleared in substance by Williams and Cleveland; and approved by Manning.↩
- The President was in Nassau December 18–21 to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Macmillan.↩