244. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1

3236. Financing UN Peace-keeping Operations.

Stevenson and Plimpton called on U Thant yesterday and informed him of US statement to be given in Working Group of 21 today, outlining US position, and reasons therefor.

U Thant limited his reaction to statement he understood reasons for US position. Said his present intention cut Congo forces to 6,000 by July 1 and continue them at that level for balance of year should result in expenditure $5 million per month for July 1–Dec 31 period. Did not believe this figure could be reduced despite force reduction because of need retain at least eight fighter aircraft and transport equipment and [Page 539] because of high-level of civilian air costs (now $2 million per month). Said some fighter aircraft must be retained because of threat of former Katanga aircraft now in Angola and since only 25 per cent of Katanga gendarmerie had surrendered weapons. Said he saw little chance reducing UNEF cost unless character of operation changed or units of force drawn only from countries charging smaller amounts in reimbursable costs. He doubted political wisdom of changing “geographical distribution” in force units.

Turner argued that maintenance of UNEF at present level had little financial impact and that main problem was ONUC. He questioned whether USG could face possibility of financing ONUC even at $30 million level if US maintained its newly announced position re financing. He pointed to projected “net deficit” figures of $127 million at June 30, 1963, and $130–$150 million at Dec 31, 1963, unless extraordinary developments occurred and asked what us thought SYG should do when faced with these circumstances. He also made point that US was perhaps overstating lack of voluntary cooperation among member states in connection with ONUC and UNEF if it overlooked fact that the many countries furnishing troops were making voluntary contributions of services of these men and paying their salaries. He believed this element had never been taken fully into account when calculating cost-sharing for these peacekeeping operations. At suggestion Narasimhan, it was agreed that SYG would immediately organize arrears-collection campaign in addition to efforts of Eugene Black, which would probably involve sending some senior staff members to various Finance Ministries in attempt collect arrears. Said he would report further re this within next week or two and hoped that some substantial results could be achieved by May.

(In separate conversation of Plimpton with Black, latter said he commencing writing of letters to Finance Ministers and planned visit some major capitals in attempt collect arrears.)

Stevenson
  1. Source: National Archives and Records Administration, RG 59, Central Files 1960–63, UN 10–4. Confidential.