Office of the Historian

348. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Greece1

Washington, November 22, 1964, 5:04 p.m.

783. Belgians have now informed President Security Council about situation with respect hostages in Stanleyville and surrounding areas, asking letter be circulated to members SC, reserving right call urgent meeting SC if necessary, and urging each UN member to call for immediate release of hostages. US has sent supporting letter. Purpose help mobilize world opinion in hope influencing moderation on part rebels. Would be extremely helpful if Government addressee posts whose nationals also involved would send supporting letters and/or public statements to same effect to SC President (who happens to be Stevenson this month) or SYG. Request you urge host government do so soonest.

Texts Belgian and US letters follow in septel.2

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Confidential; Immediate. Drafted by Jones, cleared by Cleveland, and approved by Palmer. Also sent to Bern, Bonn, Brussels, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Karachi, Khartoum, London, New Delhi, Ottawa, Paris, Port au Prince, Rome, The Hague, and Vienna. Repeated to Leopoldville and USUN.↩
  2. Telegram 784 to Athens, November 22. (Ibid.)↩