Office of the Historian

122. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission at the United Nations0

July 13, 1960, 6:47 p.m.

33. Re SC Meeting on Congo. Following are principal elements our approach on SC consideration of Congo which are sent to you for guidance.

1.
We are in agreement with SYG’s plan to seek establishment on urgent basis of UN force for Congo drawn from smaller UN members.
2.
Overall approach is for US not to take lead on this matter, but at same time to give every feasible support to SYG to establish UN Force in Congo. If so requested by SYG, US prepared to assist by means of transport, communications and other logistic support as in cases UNEF and UNOGIL. SYG may wish down play US involvement for obvious reasons and if this case, we understand it fully. We anxious that UN presence be established quickly. We believe that UN failure could mean intervention Bandung powers (Chinese Communists) consequence of which would be most serious. Importance earliest arrival of UN personnel stressed by both US Ambassador and Bunche in Leopoldville. This connection, we prepared air-lift Tunisian or other personnel if SYG desires.
3.
We agree fully with SYG’s intention to avoid recrimination and criticism re Belgian actions and his desire to formulate terms of reference describing mission of force in terms other than those in Congolese request. Belgians obviously have not committed aggression and US could not support any UN force on this basis. Given the inability of Congolese Government to maintain law and order, Belgian actions to protect lives and property and to assist and evacuate own citizens are clearly justified.
4.
We agree with SYG concept of UN force: (a) that its purpose is to take over peace and security function; and (b) that it establish bridge for and provide basis for withdrawal of Belgian forces once UN presence effectively established.
5.
Obviously, we are strongly opposed to Soviet bloc states providing any troops, and we know that SYG fully cognizant this point. We can appreciate SYG desire bring in some Yugoslavs, as he did in UNEF in order neutralize Soviets in this regard. This is acceptable to us provided proportion of Yugoslav troops kept to reasonable number and they not be given overall command, when such is established by SYG.
6.
Re Council action, we believe res. along following lines might be desirable. We are indicating res. below only as illustrative and suggest approach in it be passed to SYG. SYG undoubtedly will have his own ideas both as to contents and sponsorship. We believe Tunisian and possibly Ceylonese sponsorship is best. We would not ourselves wish sponsor so that it will enhance chances that res. will get through SC without Soviet veto. To extent to which UN is responding to African desires and appeal possibility of res. passing is enhanced. However, we would be opposed to including anything in the res. which is recriminatory toward Belgium.
7.
Following is resolution:

Having considered the serious situation in the Republic of the Congo and the request of the Republic of the Congo dated July 12 and July 13, 1960, for UN assistance

Requests the SYG urgently to create and to despatch with the consent of the nations concerned, an emergency international United Nations Force in response to the request of the Republic of the Congo to assist in establishing peace and tranquillity in that independent nation.

Urges the Republic of the Congo and its people to take every feasible step to protect the lives and property of all in the Congo and to cooperate fully with the United Nations Force in the implementation of this resolution.

Calls upon all members of the UN to render such assistance as may be requested by the Secretary-General.

Requests the Secretary General to exercise the authority vested in him by Res 1444 (XIV) and Res 1445 (XIV)1 financing the Force from the Working Capital Fund until such time as further arrangements can be made.

FYI. Secretary informed Belgians today that UN action would be facilitated if they said that their troops are in Congo on stopgap basis and that as soon as UN presence becomes effective Belgians would withdraw. End FYI.

Herter
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/7–1360. Confidential; Niact. Drafted by UNP Director William I. Cargo and Deputy Director Joseph J. Sisco; cleared in draft by Herter, Satterthwaite, and Ferguson; cleared with S/S; and approved by Wilcox. Repeated to Léopoldville, Brussels, London, Paris, and Moscow.↩
  2. Resolution 1444, December 5, 1959, authorized the Secretary-General, for the financial year 1960, “to enter into commitments to meet unforeseen and extraordinary expenses.” Resolution 1445, passed by the General Assembly that same day, authorized the Secretary-General to advance such sums from the Working Capital Fund to finance commitments authorized under the provisions of Resolution 1444 (XIV). (U.N. doc. A/4354)↩