BELGIAN CRISIS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29271, 1 August 1960, Page 11

BELGIAN CRISIS

Firm Stand By Premier BRUSSELS, July 30. The Prime Minister of Belgium’s Catholic-Liberal coalition Government, Mr Gaston Eyskens, has headed off a crisis by firmly standing by his Ministers, including those responsible for Congo policy, political observers said today. Mr Eyskens has said repeatedly this week that his Government would take full responsibility before the Belgian public for its Congo policy. He has also said he will put a programme of “discipline and austerity” before Parliament. If not given support he will resign. It is now evident, according to political observers, that the two Catholic Ministers responsible for Congo policies, Mr Auguste de Schrijver and Mr Rene Scheyven, will remain in the Government for the time being at any rate. The president of the Liberal Party, Mr Hotz, said last night that his party would wait to see the Government’s new plan before pressing for any ministerial changes. The Opposition Socialist Party has called for the Government’s resignation and a general election. Belgian business circles are beginning to calculate what the Congo disaster will cost the country. Trade with the Congo accounted for up to 24 per cent of Belgium’s revenue. Loss of this income was estimated at about £32 million. Private firms in the Congo reckon to have assets valued at about £ 1285 million. In addition to this, Belgium has left behind hospitals, roads, bridges, transport and bank funds worth about £757 million.

Belgium’s position in the Congo

is not clear. Many technicians were flying back to Leopoldville at the end of this week. Congolese Ministers have appealed for Belgian experts to remain in the country.