FOREIGN RELATIONS, 1950, VOLUME T


955.7138/11-1750: Telegram
  The Ambassador in Belgium (Murphy) to the Secretary of State

TOP SECRET                     BRUSSELS, November 17, 1950-7 p. m.
  786. For Perkins. Your 624, November 13.' On my return from
Congo2 today I called on Van Zeeland and transmitted to him sub-
stance of your proposal regarding publication of joint communiqu6
December 1. He asked me inform you that:
  1. He does not concur in proposal that joint communique be pub-
lished December 1.
  2. Your failure give him more specific encouragement re suggested
increase of export tax is "unexpected and disappointing".
  He said that this constitutes his preliminary comment and that he
will give me written statement as soon as he has had opportunity
discuss matter with Belgian Cabinet.
  Van Zeeland had clearly in mind second verbal assurance given
him on subject of suitable US contribution (penultimate paragraph
Deptel 243, February 22, 1950). Van Zeeland made no effort conceal
his dissatisfaction. He referred also to assignment of technical liaison
officer to Belgian Embassy, Washington, and said that it was all very
well and good that officer should be there at given day to receive
information which could be declassified to all the world on following
day. He failed see how this provided Belgium with square deal or
could be said protect Belgian interests.
  I have informed British Charge of Van Zeeland's reaction and he
will call on Van Zeeland tomorrow as instructed by London.
                                                          MURPHY
  'Not printed.
  'Murphy visited the Congo in November to evaluate defense conditions. He
submitted his preliminary comments in telegram 916 from Brussels, Decem-
ber 8, 1950, not printed. While emphasizing the defensive value of the immense
size and inaccessibility of the area, he recommended that "thorough-going
steps
should be taken to protect this important source [of] uranium and other minerals,
especially cobalt. Present measures are definitely not adequate. It is believed
that such measures can be taken at relatively small cost." (855A.2546/12-850)


                          Editorial Note

  During his press conference of November 30, President Truman
commented on the question of use of the atomic bomb in the Korean
conflict. His remarks on the subject appear in footnote 1, page 115.
For documentation on the issue of employment of nuclear weapons in
the Korean War, see volume VII. See in particular the memorandum
for the record by Ambassador at Large Philip C. Jessup, December 7,
of the conversation that day between President Truman and Prime


590