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

406. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in India¹

Washington, March 4, 1965, 5:56 p.m.

1832. For Governor Harriman. Congo. Tshombe arrived Nairobi today. Press reports he had talk with Kenyatta described by Tshombe as very satisfactory. OAU Ad Hoc Commission concluded meetings and issued bland communiqué reaffirming faith in Addis resolution. We have initial report that Kenyatta and Commission arriving Leopoldville March 8 and will be received by Kasavubu. Deptel on program presented Nairobi’s 2433 and 2456² (repeated New Delhi) being repeated to New Delhi.

Sudan has charged Congolese with recent overflights its territory, but no details given. GDRC has not yet replied. Dept querying Embassy Leo.

Ambassador Godley is skeptical re practical value of African troops for Congo and claims they would not permit removal of mercenaries without jeopardizing military effort and general security situation. Moreover, Godley doubts Tshombe willing surrender leverage on both West and Africa which he believes Portuguese and Southern African ties give him.

There is no additional info on Congolese domestic rifts.

Rusk

1. Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Secret; Priority; Limdis. Drafted by Berlind, cleared by Franklin J. Crawford in SOA, and approved by McIlvaine.
2. Dated March 1 and March 3, respectively. (Ibid.)