U.N. FORCES IN CONGO

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29339, 19 October 1960, Page 19

U.N. FORCES IN CONGO

Use In Katanga Authorised (N.Z. Press Association —Copyright) ELISABETHVILLE (Katanga), October 17. The United Nations is to step up its activities and take over the main defence responsibilities in the troubled areas of northern and western Kaitanga. This was agreed today In talks between a United Nations official, General I. J. Rikhwe, Indian special military adviser to Mr Hammarskjold, and the Katanga authorities under President Moise Tshombe. A joint communinue read to correspondents by Mr Tshombe at his residence in the presence of top United Nations officials said General Rikhwe had proposed that in troubled areas the United Nations should “intervene in a more active fashion and carry out defence in a broader sense.” Agreement was reached to set up United Nations defence localities which would be defended “with the degree of force necessary against the raids of armed bands.”

The communique added: “The Katanga gendarmerie will continue to occupy its position but will abstain from all active intervention during a period determined by common agreement.”

Asked if the new United Nations directive would include the use of arms, Mr lan Berendsen, top United Nations official in Katanga, said: "Such action is to include actual use of arms.”

The regions are occupied by anti-Tshombe Baluba tribesmen comprising 3000 to 5000 men.