75. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
3392. Paris for USRO. Congo. I spoke to SYG re Congo along lines Deptel 2480.2
Re Parliament, I urged that SYG use his efforts to assure Katanga representatives participated in interests obtaining moderate government in Congo emphasizing our apprehension Gizenga might be able obtain Parliament majority if Katangans absent. SYG said he felt Katanga people would come, if not on first day at least on second. He said UN was playing its cards to attain moderate political result, although every step in Congo was a risk. He felt Belgians would be using their influence on Katanga to attend Parliament meeting, and he had already encouraged Union Miniere in that direction also. He continued to seem hopeful about results of Parliament, apparently having in mind Adoula emerging as Prime Minister and Gizenga having some other post. He thought Lundula would also have to have post. Even if present efforts break-down, signing of agreement between Léopoldville and Stanleyville including large UN role was political milestone which broke previous direction toward splintering. He said Gizenga was weak and fact he had maintained consistent line in direction of Parliament for last two weeks indicated he getting solid push from outside. SYG thought this was UAR.
Re Belgian military and political personnel he said matters were improving in “messy” way. Sahbani was going to continue in Brussels until somewhat more progress had been made, but SYG indicated he would then be sent to Congo. SYG’s plans for replacing Belgian officers in Katanga are to have mixture of Congolese, Senegalese, and Europeans. He has asked Senegal provide officers, which he plans use for this purpose. I said I understood UN plans for replacement would take three to four months. SYG said he thought this could be done much quicker but it would not be one for one replacement, as smaller number of officers needed when task of army was changed.
Re army training program SYG again stood firm on necessity UN moving simultaneously or cooperatively re Léopoldville and Stanleyville troops. He feels any other approach will subject UN to partisan charges. UN has program for pilot training project at Kamina but none [Page 151] yet for overall training. He says he has enough officers available and feels they can go into training program quickly when political situation is ripe. He has held up Kamina program because he feels that so far it would be accepted only by Léopoldville. This would cause difficulty both with Stanleyville and Elisabethville.
Re US economic aid, SYG said he would make up his mind this week to accept US-tied contribution. This was “bitter pill” to swallow but he knew reasons for it and knew what his decision had to be. We taking up rest of issue with De Seynes.
Re hiring of teachers, SYG confirmed UNESCO discriminating against hiring Belgians. He said this was not UN order but stemmed from position taken by Congolese. He said WHO had hired Belgian doctor and UN embarrassed by this and was trying get it accommodated in some way. SYG was frankly against UN agencies hiring Belgians before there had been further Belgian compliance on withdrawal its political and military advisors. Once that was done, attitude would be different. He said what is not possible in June may easily be possible in July or August.
On whole I found SYG thinking along same lines as we are, maneuvering effectively to produce as sound and moderate government as is possible under circumstances, pleased with Spaak’s cooperation on withdrawal Belgians and feeling this issue well on road to solution, having long range objectives such as reorganization ANC clearly in mind but believing it necessary to move forward step-by-step until overriding political problems successfully dealt with.
- Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/6–2261. Confidential; Priority. Also sent to Léopoldville and Elisabethville and repeated to Brussels, London, and Paris.↩
- Document 74.↩