Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIII, Congo, 1960–1968

288. Memorandum From the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (Harriman) to Secretary of State Rusk¹

Washington, October 16, 1964.

Dean:

I earnestly hope that stand down of all flights in the Congo will be terminated and orders returned to prohibition of attacks on cities but not rebel columns.

If the communist world once realizes they can blackmail the U.S. by the capture of U.S. personnel, we will become impotent.

Godley’s message 1497² should be carefully analyzed and acted upon as a minimum.

Plans for strike on Stanleyville should in my judgment be expedited so that Americans can be quickly rescued.

I wish that I could discuss the situation personally, but I have a committed schedule through Saturday evening.

Averell³

1. Source: Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Harriman Papers, Box 861, Congo (3). Secret. Attached to the memorandum is a note from Harriman’s Special Assistant, Frederic L. Chapin, to Rusk’s Special Assistant, Edmund S. Little, that reads: “Ed: Governor Harriman wrote the attached in car while en route to National Airport this morning at eight o’clock.”
2. Document 287.
3. Printed from a copy that bears this typed signature.