Mine Plant Falls To F.N. Troops

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 10

Mine Plant Falls To F.N. Troops

(N.ZJ’.d.-Rauter— Copy right) LEOPOLDVILLE, December 20. United Nations Ethiopian troops occupied "all objectives in the Union Miniere” industrial plant in Elisabethville yesterday, including a slag heap which dominated the surrounding area, according to a United Nations spokesman in Leopoldville.

The Ethiopians moved in . yesterday morning after firing had been directed against ' them from the plant’s installations and met strong opposition. the spokesman said. 1 He was quoting from a report by the Australian United Nations representative in Elisabethville (Mr George ' Ivan Smith). Mr Smith had reported that on Monday afternoon the United Nations forces decided to hold their fire against the Union Miniere positions. But as President Tshombe had driven out of his residence on the first stage of his ' joumey to the frontier on his way for peace talks with the Central Congolese Prime Minister (Mr Cyrille Adoula) “fire from heavy machineguns, mortars, and small arms was directed at the Ethiopians from Union Miniere installstions.” The report said the Ethiopians waited until Mr Tshombe was well away, and then began returning the fire before moving in yesterday. The report said machinegun fire from the Union Miniere hospital was still going on in spite of a United 1 Nations protest earlier. Attacks were coming from "the largest group of civilians ; and mercenaries yet," it said. ’ The United Nations was ; being, fired on from private houses and a church tower. Leaders* Meeting The British United Press reported from New York that it was announced by United Nations headquarters that Mr Tshombe and Mr Adoula met in Kitona yesterday.

Asked how long the talks were likely to go on. Mr Adoula said he hoped they would be over within 24 hours if everything went well. He added that the military action in Katanga by thr United Nations could continue during the talks. Some observers said that Mr Tshombe might be forced to co-operate with the Central Government now that his Katangese forces had been practically defeated.