32. Telegram From the Central Intelligence Agency to the Station in the Congo1

Dir 06250 (Out 81396).

1. You will note from cable2 through normal channel currently being transmitted a para on [less than 1 line not declassified]PROP type suggestions. You will probably receive more along these lines as stumbling block [Lumumba] represents increasingly apparent[.] All studying Congo situation closely and his disposition spontaneously becomes number one consideration.3 [3 lines not declassified]

2. Raise above so you not confused by any apparent duplication. This channel remains for specific purpose you discussed with colleague and also remains highest priority.4 Re Dir 04802,5 request your reaction to possible directed assignment senior case officer soonest to concentrate entirely this aspect. We still working on third national mentioned that ref, but wonder whether you think early arrival case officer would make sense. Seems to us your other commitments too heavy give necessary concentration [less than 1 line not declassified] PROP.6 Advise.

3. Have discussed [less than 1 line not declassified] possibility of commando type group for abduction [cryptonym not declassified], either via assault on house up cliff from river or, more probably, if [cryptonym not declassified] attempts another breakout into town as recently.7 Picked [Page 45] group of [Mobutu] CNA troops might also be considered. Request your views.

End of message.

B. Tweedy
  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 79–00149A, DDO/IMS Files, Box 23, Folder 1, African Division, Senate Select Committee, Volume II. Secret; Rybat; [less than 1 line not declassified]PROP; Priority. Eyes only Devlin. [text not declassified]. Drafted and released by Tweedy.
  2. CIA telegram 06285 to Leopoldville, October 15, stated that the only direct action the U.S. Government could now stand behind was to support immobilizing or arresting Lumumba, and that desirable as more definitive action might be, any action taken would have to be entirely Congolese. (Ibid., Job 78–00435R, Box 1, Folder 4, [cryptonym not declassified] Ops) Quoted in Interim Report, p. 31.
  3. These two sentences are quoted ibid.
  4. These two sentences are quoted ibid. On October 9, 1975, Tweedy told the Church Committee that the “specific purpose discussed with colleague” referred to the Chief of Station’s discussion of assassination with Scheider, and that the premise of his message had been that “there was no solution to the Congo as long as Lumumba stays in a position of power or influence there.” On October 17, 1975, Tweedy’s Deputy, Glenn Fields, testified that the cable bearing the PROP indicator would have had controlling authority between the two cables. (Ibid.)
  5. See Document 30.
  6. This sentence is quoted in Interim Report, p. 32.
  7. Most of this sentence is quoted ibid.