454. Telegram From the Station in the Congo to the Central Intelligence Agency1
2527 (In 01864). Ref Leop 2526 (In 01858).2
1. Ref reports majority of info obtained by [COS] during hour meeting with [Mobutu] late morning 25 Nov. In addition to points reported ref, [Mobutu] stated following:
A. He sincerely apologized for not having warned [COS] in advance on his plans. Asked that this apology be transmitted to [name not declassified] explained his failure advise Station in advance by saying he would have called if [COS] phone had been installed. [COS] just completed move to new quarters. As [Embassy] unable arrange for phone, [Mobutu] sent his commo chief to phone company morning 24 Nov with order that phone be installed soonest. Unfortunately phone not installed until 25 Nov.
B. In addition to requesting food and an economic advisor, [Mobutu] said he would appreciate receiving all advisors that KUBARK can provide. He specifically cited need for advisor to guide information ministry, a political advisor to provide him with guidance and additional assistance for [Identity 1]. When he commented on need for aid for [Identity 1], he called in new chief of [less than 1 line not declassified] who was in next room and instructed him to work closely with and to depend upon [COS] for guidance.
C. [Mobutu] received [COS] most cordially. He broke off meeting with senior [Congolese Army] officers and stated he wanted have personal talk. He stressed he looking to KUBARK for advice and guidance now and in future. He added even though he recognizes that he will be dealing with [Godley] regularly once ODYOKE recognition obtained, he wants to maintain close working relationship with Station. He instructed his secretary prepare permanent pass for [COS] which will permit him enter any [Congolese Army] installation any time.
D. [Mobutu] repeatedly stressed he needs help and that without ODYOKE support his efforts will fail.
2. Although recognize that ODYOKE must wait for discreet period before extending recognition and that ODYOKE would prefer have some African countries take lead, Leop sincerely hopes ODYOKE will recognize that, if [Mobutu] fails in his effort bring order out of chaos, all [Page 662] efforts to date will be wasted and Congo will almost certainly slip down drain into chaos. Leop cannot stress sufficiently its belief that [Mobutu] represents ODYOKE’s last hope for relatively stable regime.
[Omitted here is further discussion of the new regime.]
- Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, [text not declassified], Vol. III, Mobutu. Secret; Rybat; [cryptonym not declassified]; Immediate. Received at 1300Z.↩
- See Document 453 and footnote 1 thereto.↩