Secession Debate In Katanga Assembly

Press, Volume C, Issue 29712, 4 January 1962, Page 9

Secession Debate In Katanga Assembly

(N Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) ELISABETHVILLE, January 3. Katangese Assembly meets in Elisabethville today to take a decision which could end the strife in the Congo.

In a markedly easier atmosphere between the Katangese leaders and the United Nations, it will debate the Kitona agreement under w aich Katanga would drop its cHim to secede from the Congo and to respect United Nations decisions. The agreement was reached in talks between President Tshombe of Katanga and Mr Cyrille Adouia. Prime Minister of the Congolese Central Government, last monrh Mr Tshombe later announced that it would not be valid until Katanga’s Assembly had ratified it Mr Adouia said his Government might have to resort to force if Mr Tshombe went back on the agreement. An improvement in Katangese leaders’ relations with the United Nations has been reported. Meetings between Katanga officials and senior United Nations officials yesterday were described as “very cordial” as well as businesslike. Parade By Irish The “Daily Telegraph” said the United Nation* yesterday afternoon did more with drums instead of guns to win Eisabetoville than was accomplished in two weeks of fighting. The 38th Battalion of the Irish Army turned out its six drummers, five pipers and impressive drum-major to put on a show which captivated Katangese and Belgians alike, said the newspaper’s correspondent in Elisabeth ville. The band, with no obvious military escort, marched through the tunnel of Chaussee de Kasenga, scene

of the bitterest fighting of the “war,” to the tune of “Kelly the Boy from KilJarney.” Then, with military precision, it assembled around the once bitterly disputed roundabout to play "The Nations Once Again” and "The Dawning of the Day." The skirl of the pipes brought a thousand Katangese and Belgians from their homes to watch this new display by the United Nations. The music and the kilts did more to make the blue United Nations beret acceptable than all the speeches, negotiations and gestures of the civilian administrators, said the correspondent.