CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY: CONGO

Document Type: 
Keywords: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
0000202764
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
U
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
June 24, 2015
Document Release Date: 
November 17, 2011
Sequence Number: 
Case Number: 
F-2009-00914
Publication Date: 
April 6, 1961
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon DOC_0000202764.pdf136.4 KB
Body: 
~(b)(3) COPY NO. 64 OCI NO.0274/61 6 April 1961 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY APPROVED FOR RELEASED DATE: 09-Nov-2011 CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICE OF CURRENT INTELLIGENCECg[ ;(o 21ATIAR: td'cXi Fig VfE+. NFE. FU''H: HR 70-2 DA i L:I_'t/1 .k'1! REVl2WE1 0193611 CURRENT INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY SUMMARY UN efforts to reach an agreement with the Congolese on the question of UN troops in the lower Congo region remain stalemated. In Katanga, Moise Tshombe's military effort against Baluba tribesmen threatens to involve the UN in a clash there. UN-Congolese relations in Leopoldville have improved dur- ing Rajeshwar Dayal's absence in New York, but the Congolese still oppose the re-entry of UN troops into the Matadi area. Hammarskjold remains adamant that his troops must return to the port eventually; however, he is attempting a moderate ap- proach to the issue. On 3 April he told Ameri- can and British officials in New York that he would propose luabavg . 8akwanga to the Congolese that a force limited for the time being to 100 Nigerian police be sent to Matadi. He planned to ask for an early answer and stated that if no favorable reply were re- ceived, he would bring the matter before the Security Council. President Kasavubu follow- ing his recent visit to the lower Congo has reiterated his opposition, asserting that the return of UN troops to the port would inflame the civilian pop- ulation as well as possibly pro- voke disorders on the part of Congolese armed forces. In a 3 April speech to the Indian Parliament, Nehru took note of the "campaign against Mr. Rajeshwar Dayal" and made public his opposition to the replacement of Dayal 'either now or in the immediate future." He implied that India's willing- ness to maintain troops in the Congo would be partly conditioned by the UN's position on Dayal. Meanwhile, in a move de- signed to placate opposition to Belgium in the UN, Brussels has announced that it is ready to comply with the Security Council resolution of 21 Feb- ruary calling for the withdrawal of Belgian personnel from the Congo. It continues to insist, however, that it has no direct control over most of the Bel- gian military and civilian "ad- visers" in the Congo. Exploratory discussions on a rapprochement between Leopold- ville and the Gizenga regime in Stanleyville were begun when Leopoldville Provincial Presi- dent Kamitatu--with the bless- ing of Kasa'ubu's government-- WEEKLY REVIEW Page 5 of 26 SE RET visited Gizenga on 3-4 April. Kamitatu told an American of- ficial on his return that he believed Gizenga would accept a subordinate ministerial posi- tion under virtually any promi- nent personality, provided the government was approved by par- liament. Further discussions between Leopoldville officials and Gizenga reportedly are to take place this week. Discussions in late March between the military represent- atives of Leopoldville's Gen- eral Mobutu and Stanleyville commander Lundula reportedly were cordial and may lead to a meeting of the principals at Lisala about 10 April. The military leaders, who believe that the UN may intend to dis- arm all Congolese armed units, fear that the Congo Confeder- ation plan proposed at the Tananarive conference would fragment the military forces along with the political dis- memberment of the Congo. The Gizenga regime is still complaining about the failure of bloc and African states to furnish sup- plies. Katanga is now the scene of greatest tension. Tshombe's forces, led by about 60 South Africans, have captured Manono, their first goal in reasserting Tshombe's authority over dis- sident areas of north Katanga. They apparently have also moved on to Kabalo. The UN Command, endeavoring to enforce its previously proclaimed cease- fire, has moved Indian troops into Katanga at Kamina in the face of Tshombe's threats that their presence could mean "war." Hammarskjold told the General Assembly on 5 April that the entire Indian contingent of 4,700 troops would be stationed in Katanga. Most of the con- tingent, which is. being sent by sea, is scheduled to land at Dar es Salaam this week end. It will then be airlifted to Kamina. Elisabethville is tense, largely because of fear that Indian troops may be landed there. On 3 April there were disorders at the airport against Swedish troops after Katanga government officials had aroused the populace to ac- tion against the UN. The next day, local and UN officials reached an agreement to per- mit joint control of the air- port by Katanga and Swedish troops. The UN agreed to give Tshombe's government notice of anticipated movement of UN troops into Katanga. On 5 April, however, Irish troops were sent to reinforce the Swedish forces at Elisabethville without ad- vance notice. Renewed dis- orders may occur at any time if reports of the imminent S,E T 6 Apr 61 WEEKLY REVIEW Page 6 of 26