U.N. Denies Operating Against Civilians

Press, Volume C, Issue 29696, 14 December 1961, Page 9

U.N. Denies Operating Against Civilians

(N.Z. Press Assn.— Copyrignt) NEW YORK, December 13. The United Nations has branded as “hostile propaganda” reports that the United Nations forces in Katanga were operating against civilians, women, children and hospitals. A United Nations spokesman yesterday also described as “absolutely false” reports that the residence of the President of Katanga (Mr Moise Tshombe) had been attacked by the United Nations force.

The spokesman also categorically denied reports that installations of the Union Miniere Mining Company had been attacked. “The United Nations Command has ordered no attack on targets around Union Miniere installations,” he said. The Associated Press reported from Brussels that the Belgian Foreign Minister (Mr Spaak) in Parliament yesterday accused the United Nations of waging in Katanga a real war with no excuse or justification. He told the House of Representatives at the opening of a debat- on the Katanga situation that the United Nations action "was absolutely inadmissible.” That, he said, was the strongest word a Foreign Minister could use toward the United Nations. Continued Bombing In Elisabethville, mortar bombs cradled continually yesterday as the Katangese commandant (General Moke) promised his troops ultimate victory in the struggle against the United Nations forces, a Reuter correspondent reported. At the same time Katangese reports were coming in alleging that the United Nations had rocketed or machine-gunned the hospital at Jadotville. 80 miles northwest of Elisabethville, "killing and wounding many peopleaccording to the 'Katangese Ministry of Infor- ' mation. The Belgian - controlled Union Miniere, reporting the United Nations air attack on Shinkoi obwe hospital near Jadotville. claimed there was a big Red Cross sign on the building. One empty ward was destroyed, the maternity ward was hit and a child visiting its mother was killed. Several women were evacuated. The Union Miniere also said United Nations jets attacked the post office and railway in Jadotville. Two young children were seriously wounded in the market place and two civilians killed. Unidentified aircraft dropped 26 bombs around the i United Nations - controlled | Elisabethville airfield during Ithe night, but missed their target and caused no damage. a United Nations spokesman in Leopoldville said. A big wholesale store near the centre of the town, was ' hit foree times and one bomb jfell 20 or 30 yards from the French Consulate. A United Nations Canberra bomber made two sweeps over Elisabethville railway station about noon and

Katanga troops blazed away at it with machine-guns and rifles, in vain. Orders Read General Moke's order of the day, the first since fighting began, was read by an assistant, to the thud of mortars. He said: “If we fought with equal arms I have no doubt what would happen to the United Nations Army. It would be very swiftly annihilated. “However, even though our arms are not equal, I am convinced that the present battle will end in this way.” General Moke denied any suggestion that the Katanga Army was divided against itself or disorganised. A statement by the United Nations Supreme Comman-

der in the Congo (General McKeown) to this effect was “odious lies,” he said. “Our army has not withdrawn a single tame since we engaged the enemy forces. We will soon pass from the defensive to the offensive. “Officers, n.c.o.’s and soldiers, I am proud of you. Thanks to you, Katanga will be victorious.” General Moke said. “My soldiers are the last rampart in central Africa against Soviet penetration, the prelude to a new form of colonialism which bears no comparison with that from which we have just emerged. “May God protect Katanga and give her final victory.” No Cease-fire The Associated Press said Belgian Radio reported that the Katangese Interior Minister (Mr Godetroid Munongo) yesterday told a press conference that the Katanga Government would not con-

elude a cease-fire with the United Nations since it could not trust them. “We have not sufficient guarantees. We do not even intend to discuss the matter with them, since United Nations officials systematically renounce the commitments of their predecessors and disavow their successors,” Mr Munongo was reported to have said. “We have solicited no diplomatic action.” Belgian Radio reported that Katangese troops were still controlling most of Elisabethville's centre, with the United Nations holding the airport and the periphery. The radio also reported that President Tshombe had ordered a halt to the evacuation of his residence, in order not to damage the morale of his troops. The Katangese permanent delegation in Brussels reported that 12 mortar shells had fallen so far in the gardens of President Tshombe’s residence in the centre of Elisabethville. No serious damage nor casualties were reported.