CLASH IN KATANGA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29767, 9 March 1962, Page 13

CLASH IN KATANGA

U.N. Protest To Tshombe (N Z J 3 .A.-Reuter— Copyright) NEW YORK, March 8. The chief of the United Nations operations in the Congo formally protested yesterday against the ambushing of a Ghanaian patrol by Katangese gendarmes last MondayMr Robert Gardiner, according to a document published in New York, made the protest to the Premier of Katanga, Mr Moise Tshombe. It also referred to shots flred at a Swedish aircraft the same day and complained about “the completely inaccurate description of this ncident,” by Mr Tshombe in which the Katanga leader alleged that the United Nation! had "launched a massive attack against Kaminaville.”

Mr Gardiner demanded that Katangese gendarmerie involved in the Incident "be immediately ordered to refrain from similar provocations and that the persons responsible for these aggressive acts be punished.” Mr Gardiner said that the Ghana patrol, stationed at Kamina. “was subjected to fire by the Katangese gendarmerie without any provocation ’’ The Katangese were about battalion strength and tlr® was fr- ‘oositions prepared in advance.” The commander of the United Nations patrol had to request reinforcements from headquarters at Kamina auo “was also obhged to react in legitimate defence.” After about an hour and 50 minutes the gendarmerie abandoned their positions and returned to Mitowba village, “apparently to rally their forces.”