372. Telegram From the Department of State to the Mission in Berlin1
489. For McGhee from Williams. USBER 790.2 Dept believes would be useful for you see Tshombe.
Spaak has asked Tshombe come Brussels from Germany but we understand Tshombe had intended return Leopoldville from Bonn. Since important Spaak see Tshombe soonest, you should urge Tshombe go Brussels. You might say you aware Spaak’s desire see him and have been instructed tell him USG attaches greatest importance to his seeing Spaak at this stage in developments in Congo because our aid is dependent on Belgian assistance in many fields. (FYI. U.S. interest is to have Spaak see Tshombe soonest to reach understanding re GOB–GDRC econ/fin relations so we and Belgians can put to Tshombe certain political conditions we consider important to continued assistance for GDRC. MacArthur, who now in Washington, will let Spaak know you urging Tshombe visit Brussels. End FYI.)
Additional object your conversation with Tshombe should be elicit info re his activities in Germany, particularly whether his trip useful in uncovering additional sources assistance to GDRC.3
Believe would serve no useful purpose at this stage for you take initiative discuss Congo in general but we would be interested in views Tshombe may volunteer.
- Source: National Archives, RG 59, Central Files 1964–66, POL 7 THE CONGO. Secret; Priority. Drafted by McElhiney; cleared by McIlvaine, Harriman, and MacArthur; and approved by Williams. Repeated to Bonn and Leopoldville.↩
- In telegram 790 from Berlin, December 15, Ambassador McGhee reported that Tshombe had requested that McGhee call on him in Bonn on December 17. (Ibid.)↩
- In telegram 2320 from Bonn, December 17, McGhee reported that he met with Tshombe and strongly urged him to alter his itinerary to include a meeting with Spaak in Brussels. After raising some initial objections, Tshombe agreed to do so, saying, “If your government wants me to do it, I will do it.” (Ibid., POL 23–9 THE CONGO)↩