Office of the Historian

212. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in the Congo1

Washington, August 11, 1964, 11:01 p.m.

248. For Godley. Ref: Leo’s 461.2 You should inform Kasavubu C–130’s are coming in response to GOC need and request. FYI. In view of our repeated difficulties in getting cooperation or realism from Mobutu it is important that continuing U.S. aid—e.g. C–130’s and B–26’s, etc. not be explained as response to Mobutu requests or permitted to add to his prestige and influence. On contrary, these are efforts to meet needs of Congo Government and people and should so appear publicly in Leo in order to strengthen position of Government and of no particular individual or faction. It should be clear that we expect the increasing U.S. commitments to carry with them U.S. leverage in securing Congo Government cooperation and action in meeting problems that concern U.S. End FYI.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, DEF 19–3 US–THE CONGO. Secret; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Schaufele, cleared by Harriman and Brubeck, and approved by Williams.↩
  2. In telegram 461 from Leopoldville, August 11, Godley said that he believed that the earliest possible arrival of a small task force of C–130s would be highly desirable and that C–130s would be invaluable in moving ANC personnel and necessary supplies throughout the Congo. (Ibid.)↩