Foreign Relations of the United States, 1964–1968, Volume XXIV, Africa

450. Telegram From the Department of State to the Embassy in Portugal¹

Washington, November 22, 1967, 2250Z.

73567. Ref: Lisbon’s 624,² 629,³ Kinshasa 5780.⁴ Subject: Press Allegations: US Aid to GRAE.

1. If you questioned by GOP or press concerning Radio Brazzaville allegations reported Lisbon 624, you may reply along following lines:

2. As reported Kinshasa’s 5780, Embassy Kinshasa never has had nor does it now have section dealing with Angolan problems or GRAE or any of its affiliates. Any Angolan refugees in Congo who appear at Embassy on legitimate business would be received. As reported, Kinshasa reftel, no one named Hitter or Bapb at Embassy and Embassy knows of no official American collaborating with Holden or any other Angolan liberation movement.

3. Holden has not asked USG for technical-military assistance and there are no American soldiers anywhere in Congo or elsewhere collaborating with any Angolan liberation movement.

4. Department has no way of knowing about approaches made by UPA to private organizations or individuals such as ICFTU, American Unions, or John Marcum. We know nothing of Charles Doki, Bernard Manert, or Carlos Kassel none of whom associated with USG.

5. Do not believe we should volunteer any comment on Radio allegations but foregoing plus info Kinshasa reftel should be of assistance in event you asked.

Rusk

1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 30–2 ANG. Confidential; Priority. Drafted by Roy T. Havercamp of AFCM; cleared by AFI Labor Adviser Alvin M. Rucker, Hadsel, Edward W. Holmes of AFSE, and Funseth; and approved by Country Director for Congo (Kinshasa), Congo (Brazzaville), Rwanda, Burundi, Malagasy Republic, and Mauritius Affairs John A. McKesson. Repeated to Kinshasa, Luanda, and Lubumbashi.
2. Telegram 624 from Lisbon, November 16, quoted Lisbon press reports charging that the United States was providing aid to Roberto and that the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa had opened a new Angolan section directed by Americans who collaborated closely with Roberto. (Ibid.)
3. Dated November 20. (Ibid.)
4. Dated November 21. (Ibid.)