Lot 1027

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Description:

MOISE TSHOMBE
(1919-1969) Congolese President of Katanga, in the country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, demanded UN recognition for independent Katanga, and he announced that any intervention by UN troops would be met with force. Excellent content T.L.S. on personal letterhead, 2pp. 4to., Madrid, May 25, 1964, to U.S. Senator Jacob K. Javits. In small part: "... Conflicts of authority in a national government which lacked both the prestige and power for the job at hand, coupled with the emotional confusion of electoral propaganda, spelled chaos for the new Congo state, right from the start. This chaos has increased, until to-day it has reached shock proportions. Desperately anxious to avoid admitting their weakness, the central government of the Congo, did its best to confuse the rest of the world into associating Katanga with colonialism. The truth is that Katanga strove only to save itself from the anarchy that ravaged the rest of the Congo which the central government was unable to control. Everyone now knows that this colonial ''smoke screen'' deceived many members of the United Nations at the time. Simularly [sic], observers now recognize that the central government exploited the mysterious death of [Congolese Prime Minister] Patrice Lumumba to discredit Katanga ... The Congo must assume its place as an effective member of the family of new African nations, and a staunch friend of the West and can only do so with honest and efficient government ... The Congo is presently in a perilously unhealthy state, and a chain is no stronger than its weakest link!" The letter is signed at the conclusion in blue ink. The mention of Lumumba is especially interesting, as his execution by firing squad took place after Lumumba had been overthrown and abducted to Katanga. It is believed that Tshombe personally witnessed the execution. Present with the letter is the original transmittal envelope, as well as a reproduced opinion article by Tshombe printed in the Apr. 29, 1964 edition of the Washington, D.C. Evening Star. Folds, else very good.

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May 10, 2017 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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