Office of the Historian

278. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Burundi1

Washington, October 8, 1964, 3:52 p.m.

217. Ref: Bujumbura’s 91 to Nairobi, repeated all posts.2 Americans Stanleyville.

In addition indications contained reftel that Gbenye possibly in Stanleyville, FBIS reports rebel radio Kindu broadcast of October 7 transmitted official telegram from Olenga to “President of the Congolese People’s Republic in Stanleyville” and other rebel addressees. Telegram reads in part: “Giving you official order. If NATO aircraft bomb and kill Congolese civilian population, please kill one foreigner for each Congolese of your region.”

Please pass above and substance reftel to ICRC reps. You should urge ICRC attempt communicate with Gbenye with view to resuming ICRC mission ASAP.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Confidential; Immediate; Limdis. Drafted by Berlind in AF/CWG, cleared by Diamanti in AFC, and approved by Palmer. Also sent to Nairobi, Leopoldville, and the U.S. Mission in Geneva.↩
  2. Telegram 91 from Bujumbura to Nairobi, October 8, reported that a radio message from Stanleyville carrying the “usual tirade against Tshombe and American imperialists” received in Bujumbura on October 8 had been signed by Gbenye. (Ibid., SOC 3 RED CROSS)↩