CONGO

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 03160318
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: March 16, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 5, 2016
• Case Number: F-2014-02699
• Publication Date: December 7, 1960

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NSC,BRIEFING, 7 December 1960
CONGO
I. Immediate question in Congo is whether Lumumba supporters in Orien-tale
Province can obtain sufficient foreign aid to make good their
"sicession."
A, Mobutu's threat to move Congo Army against Orientale poses threat
of civil war.
II. Pro-Lumumba official has indicated to Embassy Leopoldville that
proclamation of independent Oriental! Province had been decided even
prior to Lumumba's capture 2 December.
A. However, Lumumbist position appears vulnerable in absence of a
leader with Lumumba's rabble-rousing capacity.
InAvldition, they
face serious problem in gaining outside material aid.
1. Although at least two emissaries have sought Soviet bloc aid
in past two months, geography likely to preclude any large-
scale supply effort.
III. Recent Mobutu actions, however, likely to increase international
pressures for political solution of Congo crisis which will give
some status to Lumumba forces.
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A. Rough treatment of Lumumba after arrest, together with Mobutu's
indefinite extension of his interim government beyond 31 December,
made bad impression.
1. The USSR immediately responded to Lumumba's capture with of-
ficial statement on 3 December calling for UN protection of
deposed premier. Another government statement on 5 December
demanded in scathing terms that Lumumba be released and re-
stored to authority and that Mobutu's forces be disarmed.
B. UN faced with problem of possible large-scale Afro-Asian defec-
tions from UN force. Ceylon nnounced on 7 December the withdrawal
of its token mission, and UAR expected momentarily to announce
withdr wal its 500-man battalion.
1. Nasir believed to have communicated with Afro-Asian nations
regarding Congo. Other nations, including Ghana and Guinea.
may withdraw from UN force.
C. Hammarskjold likely to step up pressure for a roundtable political
conference of Congo parties or for reconvening of parliament.
Either one could be first step towards "regularization" of Congo
government.
1. Once first flush of his victory past Mobutu may be willing
discuss such altern tives.
� Situation in Kat nga poses problems on both diplomatic and military
fronts.
A. Neither Tshombe nor Kasavubu have
made moves necessary to
reach agreement on a Congo confederation.
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1. Tshombe's current trip to Brussels--reportedly the first
move in a campaign to obtain diplomatic recognition wherever
possible--not likely enhance his prestige in Africa or else-
where.
B. In northern Katanga, depredations by anti-Tshombe Baluba tribes-
men show no sign of letup. UN officials Elisabethville fear that
stepped-up UN oper tion required if order to be restored.
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WARNING
This document contains classified information affecting the national
security of the United States within the meaning of the espionage
laws, US Code, Title 18, Sections 793, 794, and 798. The law prohibits
its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to
an unauthorized person, as well as its use in any manner prejudicial
to the safety or interest of the United States or for the benefit of any
foreign government to the detriment of the United States.
CRET
for Release: 2016/57705 C0116O3.148r,