POLITICAL ACTION IN THR CONGO

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 01245234
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: March 8, 2023
• Document Release Date: May 15, 2019
• Case Number: F-2017-00701
• Publication Date: August 25, 1960

Approved for Release: 2019/05/03 C01245234 g 5 AV cr / 96(9
SUBJECT: Political Action in the Congo
1. As the Designated Representatives are aware we have
provided limited non-official financial support to modera.te political
elements in the Congo in an effort to establish an effective counter-
balance to the extremist tendencies of the Lttmumba government. The
rapidly deterioratin,g situation has reinforced the desirability of this
program.
2. The Embassy in. Leopoldville was recently approached for
,support in an anti-Luniumba campaign by the Chief Advisor to the
Christian Trade Unions in the Con .o, a Bel ian. national. His program
calls for an anti-Lumumba campaign and support of a broad coalition
� a political parties. He is active in organizing labor and youth move-
ments, and will distribute anti-Lumumba and anti-Communist tracts.
His program plans to replace Lumumba with Joseph MO, President
of the Congo Senate, whom we have provided with modest unofficial
support as noted in paragraph 1 above.
it will
require three months for his program to achieve its objective of
replacing Lumumba with a pro-Western government. Sizable financial
support has been requested to launch the program in the youth and labor
fields.
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3. In view of the rapid swing of the Luxnumba government toward
a pro-Communist, anti-Western orientation it is considered that this
proposed program merits financial support. It must be recognized that
this individual is most probably receiving ,some measure of covert
assistance from the Belgian Government. It is not believed, however,
that this should be a deterring factor in the developing situation.
5. In addition to these developments, the Embassy in Leopoldville
has been approached for financial support by LC(.....agi olese Senator, prom-
inent as a labor leader and political figure in Ileo's party, the M. N. C.
Malonji). This individual is attempting to organize sufficient opposition
to Luinumba in the Senate to make possible the passing of a no-confidence
vote. He needs financial aid in order to swing critical votes for this
motion.
Approved for Release: 2019/05/03 C01245234