Lumumba Troops Still Control Kivu

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 9

Lumumba Troops Still Control Kivu

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LEOPOLDVILLE, January 1. Rebel Congolese troops in Kivu province early today beat off an attempt by Colonel Joseph Mobutu’s Army to march into the province from the Belgianadministered trust territory of Ruanda-Urundi.

Fifty Congo soldiers, carrying a white flag, marched across the international bridge marking the border between Ruanda-Urundi and Kivu at 6 am.. apparently to negotiate with the rebel troops. They were met by violent firing from the Kivu side and fought a gun battle with the rebels lasting with intervals until 10 a.m. Colonel Mobutu is attempting to use the trust territory to gain access to Kivu, which has been taken over by supporters of Mr Patrice Lumumba from their Oriental province stronghold. United Nations officials in Leopoldville expressed dissatisfaction with the way the Belgian authorities in Ruanda-Urundi handled the paratroops sent by Colonel Mobutu, on their way to Kivu province. A United Nations spokesman said that the Belgian authorities had been asked to escort the troops to the frontier, but had taken them to a point near Bukavu, capital of Kivu province, which is not the nearest point to Usumbura airfield, where they landed.

The spokesman said the incident was considered extremely serious and the Mobutu troops had in fact

violated an international frontier. After exchange of fire when the paratroops crossed the Congolese border, eight Congolese troops—three of them wounded—sought refuge with Nigerian United Nations troops. The paratroops were reported to have suffered other casualties, who were still on Ruanda-Urundi territory. Three of them were captured by proLumumba troops. A United Nations spokesman in Leopoldville, said that United Nations troops did not intervene in the clash. He added that proLumumba forces still were in control of Bukavu. UH. Mission On Way Members of the United Nations Conciliation Commission for the Congo left New York last night for Leopoldville to try to mediate the dispute in the Congo. The commission is led by Mr Jaja Wachuku, of Nigeria. The United Nations SecretaryGeneral. Mr Dag Hammarskjold. who was also due to leave today postponed his departure until tomorrow after the calling of a Security Council meeting for Wednesday to discuss Cuba's allegation of imminent United States invasion.