166. Memorandum From William H. Brubeck of the National Security Council Staff to President Johnson1
Attached are Averell Harriman’s specific recommendations for increased military assistance to the Congo, based on his recent trip, and with Defense and AID concurrence.2 This program will add $5.1 million fiscal 1964 funds to the $3.5 million per year already programmed for FY 1964 and FY 1965.
Main points of the program:
1. Funds are almost all for combat air and airlift capacity—
six T28C fighter aircraft
six H21 coup lift helicopters
ten C47 aircraft
aircraft operation and maintenance costs
2. We will try to get the Belgians to operate these aircraft; if unsuccessful we will try a civilian contract operation; but in any event US military will not take an operational flight or ground crew function.
3. Additional aid may be required if the Congo situation worsens.
[Page 236]4. If Adoula requests temporary loan of military security forces from other Africans (e.g. Nigerians) we may have to contribute to cost.
Recommendation: That you approve the program as outlined above.3
- Source: Johnson Library, National Security File, Country File, Congo, Vol. I. Secret.↩
- Not attached. A copy of Harriman’s April 20 memorandum to the President is in National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 19 US–THE CONGO.↩
- President Johnson initialed his approval of the recommendation.↩
- McGeorge Bundy initialed under Brubeck’s initial.↩