Office of the Historian

361. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Belgium1

Washington, November 25, 1964, 8:03 p.m.

1185. With decision to go ahead on Dragon Noir, we anxious assure complete understanding with Belgians on following points mentioned in general terms in Secretary MacArthur Telcon:

1. Operation to Paulis would be strictly in and out lasting no more than 24 hours, subject of course to overriding military US-Belgian exigencies affecting safety of forces.

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2. Dragon Noir force would not under any circumstances delay its departure from Paulis to permit ANC to reoccupy city. Nor would it take any rebel Congolese political or other prisoners.

3. As soon as Paulis evacuees returned Stanleyville and replaned to Leo, Dragon Rouge force would immediately redeploy Kamina.

4. Within shortest possible time, force would then redeploy from Kamina via Ascension, Las Palmas, Spain to Belgium.

Please see Spaak soonest and confirm foregoing understandings.2

For Leo: Pending Spaak’s approval, essential you be guided by foregoing.

Rusk
  1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Top Secret; Immediate; Exdis. Drafted by Palmer and Brubeck, cleared by Rusk, and approved by Palmer. Also sent to Leopoldville.↩
  2. Telegram 1082 from Brussels, November 26, reported Spaak’s approval of the points in telegram 1185. (Ibid.)↩