Foreign Relations of the United States, 1958–1960, Africa, Volume XIV

158. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Ghana⁰

August 1, 1960, 9:05 p.m.

113. Guinean Ambassador Diallo,¹ leaving with Lumumba August 2, informs Congolese party stopping London, Tunis, Rabat, Conakry and Accra before returning Congo. Guineans to represent Congo here and possibly elsewhere. Diallo strongly hinted announcement as result trip some form association between Guinea, Ghana and Congo.

When Department requested Guinean backing for plan channel all aid through U.N. and thereby avoid extension cold war to Africa, Diallo firmly opposed since this might be taken as indication Congo considered U.N. Trust Territory. Said Lumumba also opposed to aid through U.N. and would almost certainly accept Soviet offers bilateral aid. Urged Department approach Lumumba soonest make bilateral aid offer before he leaves U.S. as “only chance” influence him favorably towards West.

Department subsequently discussed question exclusive U.N. aid with Ghanaian, Liberian, Tunisian and Moroccan Ambassadors.² Liberian Ambassador said he endorsed suggestion largely without qualification. Ghanaian Ambassador said while he agreed U.N. proper vehicle for channel all assistance, immediate problems of Belgian troops and Katanga outweighed all considerations and nothing could be settled in Congo in absence of settlement. Moroccan Ambassador and Tunisian Minister underlined importance of creating less emotional climate and persuading Congolese focus on magnitude of internal problems they faced. They agreed Congo should not use subject cold war competition but observed Congolese sensitive to limitations on sovereignty such as exclusive aid arranged even with U.N. might imply. Nevertheless they felt African states should do everything possible convince Congo overcome this sensitivity since obviously Africans themselves had insufficient resources meet Congo’s needs. They thought African success this venture likely depend on speedy Belgian implementation evacuation and restoration of Congo’s territorial integrity.

Herter

0. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 033.70G00/8–160. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Thomas Cassilly of the Office of Middle and Southern African Affairs, Ferguson, and Peter Chase of the Office of Northern African Affairs; cleared by Sisco; and approved by Penfield. Also sent to Brussels, Conakry, Léopoldville, London, Moscow, Paris, Rabat, Tunis, and USUN.
1. Telli Diallo.
2. Penfield and Ferguson met on August 1 with Liberian Ambassador George A. Padmore and Ghanaian Ambassador William M.Q. Halm, and Penfield met the same day with Moroccan Ambassador El-Mehdi Ben Aboud and Tunisian Minister Salaheddine El Goulli. Memoranda of the two conversations are in Department of State, Central Files, 770G.00/8–160.