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  4. Document 131

131. Telegram From the Station in the Congo to the Central Intelligence Agency1

Leopoldville, December 28, 1962.

5576 (In 41537). Ref: A. Leop 5558 (In 41007);2 B. Leop 5566 (In 40682).3

1. [1 line not declassified] [COS] met with [Mobutu]4 night 27 Dec. [Mobutu] appeared be particularly annoyed and recognized that continued delay could lead failure implement plan. [COS] advised them reports that Kasavubu has signed decree closing parliament circulating widely in Leopoldville and per local journalist have appeared London papers.

2. Basis this info [Mobutu] phoned Anany [1½ lines not declassified] pointed out there no need delay action pending passage resolution creating Moyen Congo and high court. [Mobutu] said this could be done by decree. Anany accepted this advice [less than 1 line not declassified]. Anany later phoned [Mobutu] [4 lines not declassified].

3. [3½ lines not declassified] include paragraph in speech [less than 1 line not declassified] promising that parliament would again be opened March in accordance requirements fundamental law. [3 lines not declassified]

4. Although [COS] in process of moving will try maintain regular contact [less than 1 line not declassified] and advise developments.

End of message.

  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 78–00435R, DDO/ISS Files, Box 1, Folder 12, [cryptonym not declassified] Operations. Secret; Rybat; [cryptonym not declassified]; Priority. Received at 1147Z.↩
  2. Not found.↩
  3. Not found.↩
  4. Telegram 5552 from Leopoldville to CIA, December 24, reported that [text not declassified] Kasavubu had finally signed the decree recessing parliament, but that they had no further information as to when the decree would be implemented. [text not declassified] said Minister of Defense Anany wanted parliamentary approval for creation of a Moyen Congo province first. The Station warned that since parliament was not scheduled to meet again until January 2, this gave more than a week for news of the decree to leak and for the opposition to take appropriate action to block it. (Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 78–00435R, DDO/ISS Files, Box 1, Folder 12, [cryptonym not declassified] Operations)↩