373. Telegram From the Embassy in the Congo to the Department of State1
1470. Brussels for Ambassador and McGhee. In course conversation last night with Adoula touched on UMHK scheme as well as prospects of passage for constitution and amnesty.
Adoula appeared better disposed toward plan presumably after advice from Gardiner and especially Auguste Gerard.
Said he would take line that of course he would not refuse deposit of all foreign exchange with GOC, but that he would then ask UMHK representatives if they or someone else would explain to him exactly how it would be accomplished with benefit to GOC, unless customs and currencies were unified. He again referred to “snail’s pace” efforts of IMF in spite of efforts UN and McGhee. Also said that while details of foreign exchange deposit were worked out rest of provisions of U Thant plan should be applied.
Advised he intended to negotiate just as he had with Mebeka Diamond representatives; i.e. he would start out firmly pointing out company owed him 2 years back taxes and revenues and that he had been expecting their visit for 2 years, i.e. since his invitation to [garble] conference. Adoula said this would be just his trades-union bargainers way of setting stage.
[Page 765]I said that I was sure UMHK scheme would be presented in good faith and that it was not intention of originators to take refuge in technicalities. Hoped, however, he would not expect UMHK men to give solution for these nor could they unify the currency and customs.
Re constitution. I asked what prospects under 2 hypotheses: A. Parliament continues and B. Parliament prorogued. Adoula again claimed he actually thought he could get it passed even “in this Parliament.” Since Abako was now playing “Tshombe” and “Catholic” line and MNC playing strong Lumumbist line, on constitution, still with full atmosphere of democracy “a la De Gaulle.” He would issue further call for comments of all provinces on constitution and give these widest diffusion. He would then consider whether 2 Chambers and Chief of State should form constituent assembly. Whether or not this was done, he would have a popular referendum constitution en bloc and on a selected small number of constitutional issues. He thought that provision for adoption of constitution might carry with it proposal for new general elections within 3 months.
Comment: Do not know how effective latter program of Adoula could be but if Parliament were prorogued he could play a much nimbler propaganda game on constitution, matching Tshombe.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 870G.25/12–1962. Confidential; Priority. Received at 9:20 p.m. and repeated to Brussels and USUN.↩