152. Telegram From the Station in the Congo to the Central Intelligence Agency1
8606 (In 41258). 1. [Identity 1] at 1800 meet 16 Oct said [COS] should get advance authority for money in case of emergency,2 but despite [COS] best efforts he refused provide any details what sort of emergency might be in offing. [COS] finally said it plain as nose on face that strong measures being readied to thwart extremists, and we preferred know before rather than after steps are taken, so we can better support GOC in international forum. [Identity 1] remained tight-lipped. [COS] impression is that thoroughgoing reshuffle of GOC plus perhaps state of exception for Leop is planned, but not until [Identity 2] returns. FYI, [Gullion] was seeing [Identity 3] concurrently with above meet, and he made out no better than did [COS]
2. One possible clue to mystery is [Identity 1] remark army is disgruntled at [Identity 2] statements designed support retention UN troops in Congo that ANC still unable maintain internal order, for example during upcoming elections. [Identity 1] said ANC accepted argument about possibility invasion by Portuguese or other foreign power, but resented aspersion on its ability within Congo. Still, [Identity 1] did say decision would await [Identity 2] return.
3. Will keep checking. Looks like busy weekend.
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 78–00435R, DDO/ISS Files, Box 2, Folder 6, [cryptonym not declassified] Operations. Secret; Rybat; [cryptonym not declassified]; Priority. Received at 1545Z.↩
- During the week of October 14, a substantial number of ANC troops mutinied at the Luluabourg garrison, the teachers’ union went on strike, and major union leaders called for the replacement of the current government by a politically neutral government pending the next year’s elections.↩