why did the United States support the reign of of Joseph Mobutu?

Question

i understand that the United States wanted to stop the spread of communism and Lumumba was a major impact on that subject and i know that Mobutu's men executed him and that's pretty much why the United States supported him but i need more information

thank you!
=]

Where did you get the idea that the US supported Mobutu? What little support there was, was directed to selected economic interests held by US companies, but frankly, that was not much support.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobutu_Sese_Seko

Please check these sources for more background about Mobutu, the U.S., and the Cold War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobutu_Sese_Seko

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569374/Cold_War.html#s6

Here are a couple of sites that will help answer your question.

http://www.bear-left.com/original/2003/0421abc.html
Look under the letter J.

http://www.britannica.com/ebi/article-210586

https://edit.britannica.com/getEditableToc?tocId=210586