“Belgium Tried To Protect Lives”—U.S.

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

“Belgium Tried To Protect Lives”—U.S.

NEW YORK, July 31. The United States State Department yesterday said it was “satisfied”, that Belgium sent troops back into the Congo only to protect lives.

The statement virtually dissociated the United States from charges by the Congo'ese Prime Minister (Mr Lumumba) of aggression by Belgium in tushing troops to the Congo after riots broke out. Mr Lumumba arrived in New York today after cutting short his Canadian visit. United Press International reported that Mr Lumumba doubted the validity of the State Department announcement, in which the department also said it was “satisfied” that the Belgian Govern; ment “had no aggressive intent. “Give me the name of the man in the State Department who said this." Mr Lumumba said. “I do not want or like the State Department to be slandef“l had a very fruitful contact with the Secretary of State, Mr Christian A. Herter, and with the State Department in general and I am grateful for what came out of these contacts. The American Government’ has adopted the resolution of the United Nations Security Council which calls on ItlSur? to withdraw its troops I am sure the State Department

keeps its position in conformity with its vote,” he said.

Mr Lumumba, on arriva’ in New York, angrily denied that he met secretly in an Ottawa hotel room with the; Soviet Ambassador to Canada. The breakfast meeting had been reported to have taken place earlier yesterday before Mr Lumumba flew from Canada. At the New York Airport, Mr Lumumba erupted into a fingershaking lecture at reporters who asked him about the meeting. “You had better check your information if I were you," he said through an interpreter. “I would fire the reporter who said that, because he told lies. . . ." Mr Lumumba cut short his two-day visit to Canada and flew back to New York to catch a plane for home. In Ottawa, Canadian officials said Mr Lumumba, who had not originally intended to leave until Sunday morning, had advanced his departure because of “urgent business.” The American Associated Press said there was speculation that the change in plans was connected with domestic affairs in the Congo or the result of a surprise meeting in Mr Lumumba’s hotel suite in Ottawa with the Soviet Ambassador, Mr Amasap Aroutunian. A.A.P. said Mr Lumumba and Mr Aroutunian met for 30 minutes. Mr Lumumba met Mr Diefenbaker at noon to press his request for Canadian engineers, technicians doctors, nurses and other trained staff, to help develop the new Republic. The Canadian Government will ask Parliament’s approval—expected to be readily given—to send troops to the Congo for United Nations duty, Mr Diefenbaker said yesterday in the House of Commons.