Tshombe Held At Leopoldville

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29803, 21 April 1962, Page 11

Tshombe Held At Leopoldville

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

ELISABETHVILLE, April 19

President Tshombe of Katanga flew home today after being held a virtual prisoner for 15 hours at Leopoldville Airport,

The Central Congolese Government yesterday grounded all aircraft and used fire engines to block the Leopoldville runway to stop President Tshombe breaking off talks with the Congolese Prime Minister (Mr Adoula). the British United Press reported.

The two leaders have been discussing for a month the future of secessionist Katanga within a united Congo President Tshombe's plane left Leopoldville shortly before dawn today after United Nations troops had ringed the airport all night. United Nations officials said troops had to use force to clear the runway to allow the plane to take off. the news agency said On hts arrival at Elisabethville. President Tshombe told a cheering crowd of 5000: "We must pay tribute,to the United Nations for all they have done for my protection But for that you would not have seen me back here today."

The news agency said the whole operation this morning nearly foundered at the last moment when attempts were made to move a plane that the Congolese had placed at the exit from the United Nations 'tarmac A United Nations Swedish mechanic managed to get into the locked cockpit and with the help of the Nigerians began moving the plane out of the way. But the mechanic was unfamiliar with the controls of the plane. He pulled a wrong lever and flooded the tarmac with many gallons of petrol from the plane's emergency tanks.

Then the mechanic started the engines. sending the plane careering round the tarmac, in danger of colliding with other planes, including Mr Tshombe’s. When the runaway plane finally halted, it was almost completely blocking the tar?l ac ** il - •Queezed Mr Tshombe’s plane through on to the runway with about two feet to spare on either