Office of the Historian

485. Telegram From the Station in the Congo to the Central Intelligence Agency1

Kinshasa, November 4, 1966.

8761 (In 33138). 1. Have not submitted request for payment to [Mobutu] of [cryptonym not declassified] funds for September and October 1966. Station immediate reaction when [Mobutu] requested [Godley’s] departure was that we should cut off all future payments. On reflection, however, Station reached following conclusions:

A. Cutting off payments to [Mobutu] would almost certainly be interpreted by him as an indication that [USG] no longer supports him. Political repercussions resulting from terminating [cryptonym not declassified] payments would be almost as severe as if [USG] were to cut off [AID] funds.

B. Since [Department of State] has indicated it wishes retain all options, Station believes it would not be advisable cut off [AID] payments. This particularly true since [AID] assistance must, view budgetary [Page 711] cuts, be reduced. [AID] reductions can be explained on the basis of budgetary reductions. However, cutting off [cryptonym not declassified] funds probably would convince [Mobutu] that [AID] reductions are punitive in nature, rather than the result of a budgetary cut.

2. Station has discussed above thinking with [Blake]. Latter is reluctant approve additional [cryptonym not declassified] payments to [Mobutu]. Just prior his departure [Godley] expressed view that [Mobutu] should be taught lesson by having [cryptonym not declassified] funds cut off. Since [Mobutu] has not raised the issue, Station has not pushed the matter with [Blake]. However, suspect we will have to face this problem eventually, as [Mobutu] probably will query Station concerning [cryptonym not declassified] funds next time he short of cash for political action ops.

3. Above views submitted for headquarters information in any discussions it may have with [Godley] and [Department of State] on subject of [cryptonym not declassified] funding.

4. Would appreciate Headquarters guidance as to position Station should adopt in future discussions of [cryptonym not declassified] funding.2

5. No index.

  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 78–02502R, DDO/ISS Files, Box 1, [cryptonym not declassified] Operations, Jan.–Dec. 1966, [text not declassified]. Secret; Rybat; [cryptonym not declassified]. No time of receipt appears on the message.↩
  2. Not found.↩