Minister Tshombe. The Binza group and the US government were both fearful that one of the opponents would seek support from a radical African regime. Mobutu proposed another coup to replace both Kasavubu and Tshombe, the CIA responded by issuing its support in the form of a "carte blanche to act as he saw fit". Larry Devlin called Joseph Mobutu's successful rise to power "the best possible solution". Some argue that it is clear CIA programs in Congo "distorted Congolese politics for decades to come". The CIA viewed Mobutu as necessary to keep political stability and develop the Congo. If he happened to be removed from power they believed it could result in "political turmoil and a sharp decline in internal security. The CIA had achieved its policy goals in the end, creating a geopolitical friend in Congo, on the African continent. At the same time they created a dictator that would ruin his country. Africa would continue to be a battleground for the Soviet Union and the CIA in other states. Assault on Stanleyville – November 1964 On the morning of November 24, 1964, a coalition of Belgian, Congolese, and US forces launched an effort to free American and European hostages from Stanleyville, along with attempting to retake the rebel-controlled town. With more than 2000 hostages being held in the area, the US paramilitary had to take action. The maneuver began with 10 American C-130 transport planes dropping a total of 600 Belgian paratroopers near the city's airfield. This part of the operation was largely successful, with only a few US planes being damaged slightly. Rebels responded to this invasion by amassing approximately 250 hostages in Lumumba Square. A CIA document detailing the events of that day state that hostages began to flee in fear of death, causing the rebels to "open fire upon them with machine guns, killing 15 to 20 and wounding 40." The document notes the hostage casualties would have been larger, but the Belgian forces arrived to combat the rebels. Sixty hostages were also taken at the Airport Hotel following the initial troop-drop, which resulted in 15 hostages being executed. The second phase of the operation began approximately one hour after the drop, and consisted of a Congolese Army column advancing from the south. Congolese troops, along with the Belgian paratroopers, cleaned up pockets of resistance in Stanleyville and took control of the city. The