480. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission to the United Nations1
56984. 1. Dept believes USUN should follow up on job begun by Embassy Kinshasa on Congolese with following objectives in view:
(A) Urge Congolese to take as moderate a position as possible, urge them not to insist on res or to content themselves with mild resolution pointing to dangers of situation but without trying to condemn Portugal;2
(B) Make clear to Congo del that, given flimsy nature their case, we unable to assume leadership in Council efforts to negotiate resolution; and unwilling to go along with any except moderate, balanced resolution, and then only in case rest of Council supports it.
2. Accordingly we suggest mission contact Bomboko as soon as possible after his arrival to review our position with him. In addition our position should be explained fully to other friendly dels on SC in hopes they also will try to influence Congolese along lines of para 1. (A) and (B) above. We believe special effort should be made with Nigerian who stands best chance, it seems to us, of countering immoderate attitude which Mali, Soviets, and perhaps Uganda likely to foster.
3. Suggest you also notify Congolese that any U.S. statement will be low-keyed and very carefully balanced in light of facts, most of which, according to our information, do not support Congolese allegations.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 23–9 THE CONGO. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Campbell in IO/UNP; cleared by Elizabeth Ann Brown in UNP, L. Dean Brown in AFCM, and Funseth in EUR; and approved by Sisco. Repeated to Lisbon, Kinshasa, London, and Luanda.↩
- On September 21, the Congolese Government formally requested a Security Council meeting to consider its charges that the Portuguese Government was harboring in Angola and Cabinda mercenary forces hired by Tshombe whose mission was to overthrow the legitimate and lawful government of the Congo.↩