58. Memorandum From the Chief of the Africa Division, Directorate of Plans, Central Intelligence Agency (Tweedy) to the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (Satterthwaite)1

SUBJECT

  • Political Situation in the Congo

1. After discussions with [Department of State] on Saturday, January 14, 1961, [CIA] advised its representative as follows concerning recent communications about possible action concerning increased pay for the CNA.

2. The [CIA] representative in Leopoldville was advised that Washington had specifically noted that the GOC had publicly declared its intention to raise CNA pay. This, of course, puts the matter on a different basis and this development is being given further consideration here.

3. In the meanwhile, the [CIA] representative was instructed not to approach either [name not declassified] or Mobutu on this subject but to await their initiative. If and when they raise the subject again, the [CIA] representative was instructed to make no commitments but should take this opportunity to find out:

a. How many troops are involved and where were they located,

b. Best estimate of money required,

c. When does GOC expect to make the first increased payment to troops,

d. How long can GOC make payments without additional outside help.

4. The [CIA] representative was instructed that under no circumstances should he indicate that assistance might be forthcoming.

[pseudonym not declassified]2
  1. Source: Central Intelligence Agency Files, Job 76–00366R, DDO/ISG Files, Box 1, Folder 7, Congo. 1960–69, Pt. 1. Secret. This memorandum was sent via backchannel.
  2. Printed from a copy that bears Tweedy’s typed pseudonym.