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

397. Telegram From the Department of State to the Consulate in Elisabethville¹

Washington, January 2, 1963, 9:01 p.m.

563. Re Deptel 556 to Eville²and Leo’s 1638.³ After further review possible situations in which three Consuls might be called on to facilitate return of Tshombe and his ministers (Eville’s 1069),⁴ which appear to be constantly changing, following conditions are added to authorization contained in Deptel 556.

Although we understand Tshombe’s reluctance rely solely on UN for security and wish facilitate his return through provision adequate assurances re security if this otherwise desirable, we have in mind problem created in Léopoldville as indicated in Embtel 1638 and other factors such as psychological impact on Tshombe to return to situation existing prior to recent hostilities and possible demand that Consuls become, in a sense, permanent bodyguards.

No initiative should be taken in this matter either in NY or E’ville. If UN should so request, Consul would consent be present along with other Consuls at airport or other logical entry point and perhaps follow to Palace in motor cavalcade, if required by Tshombe. In no circumstances, however, would he participate in what would amount to bodyguard for Tshombe. If such bodyguard is required by Tshombe, over and above that which UN would normally provide, UN should take own measures to arrange, perhaps through combination of local Europeans known to be loyal to Tshombe, members of GOK government available or gendarmerie. Problem of bodyguard would, of course, remain after Tshombe’s initial reception.

If in fact such an arrangement should come about, this should make a little lighter Leo’s task of explaining to Adoula.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/1–263. Confidential; Niact. Drafted and approved by McGhee and cleared in substance by Fredericks, Ball, and Rusk. Repeated to Léopoldville, Brussels, London, Paris, and USUN.
2. Telegram 556 to Elisabethville, January 1, authorized Dean at his discretion to assist in facilitating Tshombe’s return, including being present himself if necessary, but only under U.N. initiative, auspices, and arrangements. It noted that the United States was probably not in a position to act as a direct guarantor of Tshombe’s safety and that no action along those lines should be taken without the Department’s specific approval. (Ibid., 770G.00/1–163)
3. Telegram 1638 from Léopoldville, January 2, requested authority to “issue low key denial that US Consul going anywhere to pick up Tshombe.” (Ibid., 770G.00/1–263) Telegram 1636 of the same date stated that Adoula had just telephoned Gullion in agitation to query a radio report that the U.S., U.K., and Belgian Consuls in Elisabethville were going to fetch Tshombe. (Ibid.)
4. Telegram 1069 from Elisabethville, January 1, reported a public message from Tshombe that he would go to Elisabethville under certain conditions, one of which was that his freedom should be guaranteed and that the U.S., U.K., and Belgian Consuls should escort him to Elisabethville from the Lufira River. (Ibid., 770G.00/1–163)