CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN - THE SITUATION IN THE CONGO

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06541076
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: March 16, 2022
• Document Release Date: August 5, 2016
• Case Number: F-2014-02699
• Publication Date: April 20, 1961

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20 April 1961
Copy No.
CENTRAL
3
INTELLIGENCE
BULLETIN
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The Situation in the Congo
The UN Command appears increasingly disposed to take
a tough stand in its relations with the Leopoldville and Katanga
governments. Hammarskjold's unpopular Congo representative,
Rajeshwar Dayal, reportedly plans to leave for Leopoldville on
28 April. In Katanga, where the UN continues to airlift rein-
forcements from Tanganyika in the face of Tshombe's threats,
the situation remains tense. UN officials in Leopoldville have
stepped up efforts to return UN forces to the port of Matadi
even at the risk of jeopardizing the recent improvement in
their relations with the Kasavubu government. Pointe Noire,
which Hammarskjold has mentioned as an alternative port to
Matadi, handles on an annual basis only one third the tonnage
of Matadi, and all goods brought in there would have to be
brought across the Congo River at Brazzaville.
Only in Orientale is the UN Command inactive. The status
of the proclaimed truce between MObutu's Congo Army and the
rebel forces remains unclear; although a Stanleyville broad-
cast has denied the existence of any truce, it is possible that
some agreement has been reached among commanders in the
field.
the Ministry of African Affairs in Brus-
sels had assured Belgian officers that service with Tshombe's
forces would be considered equivalent to service in Belgian
forces with respect to retirement.
on instructions from Brussels 0,Tarned Belgian
officers against participating in any action against the UN Com-
mand.
Prospects for a meeting of Congo political leaders at Kamina,
Katanga scheduled for 20 April for the purpose of implementing
decisions reached at Tananarive�appear dubious.
Tshombe's attendance is
in question,
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York again denouncing the Tananarive conference last March
as "not representative of the country" and as a maneuver "de-
signed to counteract the wTrk of the General Assembly!'
'SEeRET,
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