U.S. Accepts Proposal

Press, Volume C, Issue 29691, 8 December 1961, Page 17

U.S. Accepts Proposal

(N.Z. Press Assn. —Copyright)

NEW YORK, Dec. 7. The United States has approved a comprehensive plan by the United Nations Secretary-General (U Thant) ' to bring Katanga under United Nations control. The chief United States delegate to the United Nations (Mr Adlal Stevenson) and other United States officials conferred privately with U Thant for 50 minutes at the United Nations headquarters last night. “The United States is very pleased with the plan of the Secretary-General to bring Katanga under control.” Mr Stevenson said later Airlift Approved Earlier, the United States State Department announced that the United States was to increase its airlift in support of United Nations forces in the Congo. A statement said:— “At the request of the United Nations, the United

States Government is now providing intra-Congo logistic support of the United Nations operation. The United States Air Force will continue to 0y reinforcements into the Congo and in some cases directly to where the troons are to be assigned "Presently there are six C-124 MATS (Military Air Transport Service) aircraft in the Congo, some of which have been engaged since September in the foodlift to Elisabethville “These aircraft will be augmented by up to 15 C-124’s and six C-130’s from Cinceur (Commander - in . Chief. Europe). “Since fighting broke out in Katanga on Monday. United States aircraft have been used to help move a Swedish squadron of fighter aircraft from Luluabourg ’o Kamina The United States aircraft have also transported five armoured cars from Leopoldville to Elisabethville “Swedish. Irish and Nigerian troops are being, or will be. transferred in these aircraft from Leopoldville to Elisabethville,” the statement said.

A United States spokesman said today that U Thant's plan included both the use of force in the present Katanga fighting, and a broad plan for restoring peace in the Congo. A.P. reported. U Thant said last week he was preparing a comprehensive plan for the Congo, but did not disclose any details. U Thant was being briefed on the military action agains* Katanga forces by cablegrams from his chief renresentative in the Congo. Mr Sture Linner. but was not in direct communication with him during the day "Our operTions are going well.” a United Nations spokesman said He noted that reinforcements were arriving at the airport in Elisabethville, thus demonstrating that the United Nations forces were in control of the situation there. United States sources renorted that U Thant had not asked Mr Stevenson at their meeting in New York last night for any further United States equipment to be made ••vailable to the United Nations Congo command. Reuter reported Earlier vesterday. the Ka’’nean President said in Paris that “the American' have sent jet planes to bomb our women and little children ” However, the nlanes that e a >-r'’“d out bombing attack' on Kolwezi in Katanga yes‘“rday ’ere Swedish and Indian United Nations jets United Press International said. Under Arrest According to U P. 1., the United States Consul in Elisabethville (Mr Lewis Hoffacker) has been placed ••nd er house arrest by Congolese authorities. They said this was because of bombing attacks on Kolwezi and Jadotville, the news agency said Mr Hoffacker was reported ’o be unconcerned. UPI said "I do not feel that I am in danger.” he said