148. Editorial Note
At the 453d meeting of the National Security Council, held at Newport on July 25, Director of Central Intelligence Allen Dulles discussed developments in the Congo during his briefing on significant world developments. The relevant portion of the memorandum of discussion by Marion W. Boggs, July 28, reads as follows:
“The situation in the Congo, Mr. Dulles continued, had been temporarily eased. Half of the 12,000 man UN force had arrived on the scene and reinforcements were coming in hourly. The Belgian troops had pulled back to two Congo bases everywhere except in Katanga. The Prime Minister of Katanga having failed to secure recognition of his province as an independent state, was now proposing a loose federation of Katanga and other adjacent provinces. Katanga was the richest part of the Congo, supplying two-thirds of the Congo’s mineral production. Mr. McCone said we no longer considered the Congo an important source of uranium for the U.S.
“Continuing, Mr. Dulles noted that the Congo needs technicians and administrators but does not want white technicians. Accordingly, the Congo may approach the other African Governments with a request [Page 354] for technicians even though these other governments have no technicians or administrators to spare. The President said perhaps an FEPC (Fair Employment Practices Commission) was needed in the Congo. Mr. Dulles said unemployment and a shortage of food had created a serious situation in the Congo. Another serious problem was Lumumba himself, who had been described by Ralph Bunche as “crazy.” It had been reported that Lumumba would visit the USSR after completing his visit to the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Dulles said that a Russian mission to the Congo conferred with Lumumba, after which Lumumba withdrew his threat to request the intervention of Soviet troops in the Congo. Mr. Dulles believed that it was a reasonable inference that the USSR had felt it was getting too involved in the Congo and had induced Lumumba to abandon his idea of calling for Soviet forces.
“Secretary Herter said it was difficult to understand why Lumumba was in the U.S. He had not asked to come to Washington. He arrived in New York without any funds and without anyone knowing who was responsible for providing him with funds. It was not known what he had to do after being entertained by the UN at lunch today. Lumumba had said he was coming to the U.S. to obtain technical assistance. Secretary Herter thought that if he stayed away from the Congo long enough, he would find he had no government when he returned. Secretary Anderson said if it was to our advantage to keep Lumumba away from the Congo, then we ought to arrange for him to stay in the U.S. for awhile. The President said that we might provide Lumumba with a three weeks tour of the U.S. on a modest basis.
“Mr. Dulles said he was worried about the Detwiler activities in the Congo. Detwiler has a reputation of beginning many things but of not finishing anything. Secretary Gates said Detwiler was a fabulous promotor who has not really promoted anything. Mr. Gray said it had been reported that Mr. Max Rabb was associated with Detwiler. Secretary Herter said he had checked on this report and discovered that Mr. Rabb had never answered Detwiler’s letter. Secretary Gates said Detwiler was a notorious name-dropper. Mr. Allen remarked that Detwiler, however, some eight years ago obtained a contract for an iron ore concession in Liberia. This concession is now operative with U.S. and Swedish money. Apparently one Detwiler project actually became operative. Mr. Dulles said the Detwiler operations in the Congo would arouse the antagonism of the French, who will say that the U.S. is in Africa for the purpose of obtaining concessions. Mr. Gray said that Secretary Herter’s checking on Mr. Rabb’s association with Detwiler showed that not all the persons mentioned in the press as Detwiler’s supporters are actually behind him.” (Eisenhower Library, Whitman File, NSC Records)