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

414. Telegram From the Consulate in Elisabethville to the Department of State¹

Elisabethville, February 8, 1963, 5 p.m.

1375. Tshombe returned Elisabethville unexpectedly yesterday evening to surprise of his own staff which not alerted. He asked see me. After informing Ileo’s² Chef de Cabinet, I went Residence.

Tshombe appeared much rested but evident since now without sunglasses that his eyes giving him real difficulty and pain. Stated had spent past two days at hotel near Kariba Dam in Rhodesia under care of eye specialist from Salisbury. He intended go Salisbury this afternoon in order place himself under care of same specialist for few days. If no improvement resulted, he intended go Switzerland for further treatment. I expressed hope Tshombe would obtain Congolese passport for this purpose. He said he had charged Kimba with this responsibility.

Tshombe said two things had brought him back Elisabethville, (1) concern that General Muke had not returned Elisabethville and started important task reassembling Gendarmerie; he did not wish be accused bad faith this subject and Gendarmerie in bush represented serious potential threat to public order even though men themselves of good quality and could be retrained for constructive use. (2) In accordance Thant plan, he wished ask GOC what Cabinet positions it desired make available to Conakat so he could make his own nominations. Tshombe said he had returned in spite medical specialist’s advice to take action these two points. I expressed hope he had taken up these questions with GOC directly rather than with me. He replied he had done so, but wished keep us informed.

Tshombe then said had third important point he wished mention. He had in past two and one-half years fought to best his ability for secession against GOC and US had sent its aircraft and Indians soldiers to kill Katangans. US had won and he had lost. He now wished if possible to cooperate with the US in the development of Katanga and the Congo with same determination he had used in opposing US. Before departure to Rhodesia, he had instructed his Cabinet and received its agreement to drop all hate propaganda and to cooperate with US to extent US willing cooperate with Katangans. He hoped US would be willing to do this and would not insist on paying off old scores.

I replied that we considered his policy had been in error and had caused his people much misery but, referring to January 4 statement,³ that US not moved by rancor or desire for retribution and wished leave his political future to himself and fellow citizens. Tshombe said he wanted in future to concentrate on economic development of potentially rich Congo, in establishing public order and the necessary conditions for attracting foreign investment and hoped be able cooperate with US for this purpose. In meanwhile, as long time businessman he recognized correctness of clearing accounts as basis good relationship and wished make clear past was definitely buried as far as he concerned. I read to him paragraphs 3 and 4 of Deptel 672.⁴ He said he agreed this approach, had no intention reopening the secession issue in any way.

In reply to question on tribal frictions in Katanga, Tshombe said he willing enlarge his cabinet to include more representatives of tribal minorities but that this dependent on future of Katanga, whether divided or unified. He clearly indicated he favored unified Katanga as thought North Katanga Government might be incapable of dealing with tribal minority groups in Kongolo, Lubudi and Baudouinville areas and with tribal chiefs in Kamina and Kaniama and that North Katanga without balancing element of south would be economically poor area which would remain in anarchy unless reduced by outright force and repression. Said nevertheless intended stay out of dispute on size of Katanga and leave this to others and to Léopoldville. He could get along well enough in South Katanga. Tshombe noted that Ambroise Muhonga, Chokwe rep in Balubakat cartel, who now on visit to Elisabethville, had visited Chokwe groups in Elisabethville, Jadotville and Kolwezi explaining to them that he had broken with Balubakat leader Jason Sendwe because of Baluba mistreatment of tribal minorities in North Katanga. Tshombe claimed relations of majority Lundas with Chokwe minority inhabiting same areas Katanga now much improved. He said he did not wish call meeting of Katanga Assembly now because would degenerate into name-calling post mortem on who was guilty of mistakes of past and as such would only block integration process. Would be time enough for assembly after main steps of integration completed.

Tshombe gave every appearance of intention to return Elisabethville after rest and cure. Stated he deliberately avoiding publicity for own sake and because in past press had proved more of enemy than friend. Have informed Kalala, Ileo Chef de Cabinet and Sherry of UN of above.

We believe that like similar Kimba conversation few days ago (Contel 1365),⁵ Tshombe’s views can be considered as encouraging. His efforts get back on winning side and enlist US protection for own political future are transparent but nonetheless sincere indications that he considers secession over and is willing play along with integration. It is clear given review of past that this may be temporary tactic and that Tshombe may be merely playing for time before going back to old tricks. Equally evident that current cooperative phase presents sufficient opportunity, by taking Tshombe at word, for GOC, UN and other interested parties to consolidate integration and make such hopes illusory.

Dean

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 The Congo. Confidential; Priority. Repeated to Léopoldville, Brussels, and USUN.
2. Ileo had arrived in Elisabethville as Minister Resident of the Central Government on January 23.
3. See footnote 5, Document 403.
4. Telegram 672 to Elisabethville, February 2, stated that the general objectives of the Thant plan, as opposed to the Course of Action, were still valid U.S. policy objectives in the Congo, and instructed Dean to convey to Tshombe the U.S. view that the best means of ensuring fair application of the plan was for him to collaborate sincerely and honestly with Ileo and to make clear that the U.S. Government would not be party to any effort to initiate further negotiations on the integration of Katanga. (Department of State, Central Files, POL 15 The Congo)
5. Telegram 1365 from Elisabethville, February 7, reported that Dean had met with Kimba in Tshombe’s absence and stated the U.S. views set forth in telegram 672. Kimba declared that a Katanga Cabinet meeting before Tshombe’s departure on February 5 had confirmed that the Katangan government would confine itself to provincial administration and would seek to advance integration through direct contact with the United Nations and Ileo. (Ibid.)