U.N. Considers Future Of Ruanda-Urundi

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 11

U.N. Considers Future Of Ruanda-Urundi

(N Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright) NEW YORK, June 7. The United Nations General Assembly, haunted by memories of the bloodshed that marred the Congo’s accession to nationhood just two years ago, was to meet today for an all-out effort to avert a similar upsurge of violence in neighbouring Ruanda-Urundi.

The trusteeship agreement under which Belgium administers this territory was due to be cancelled at the end of this month, and diplomats have expressed fears lest the withdrawal of Belgian troops remove restraints against new trouble Violent hatred between the two main tribes which constitute 99 per cent of the five million population has already provoked bloody raids, burned villages and caused thousands of casualties Commission's Visit

A United Nations commission which visited the territory recommended in a report published last night, on the eve of the Assembly’s resumed 16th session. that Urundi. in the south, become independent on July 1. No

such formal recommendation was made for the northern area. Ruanda, but observers said it would be difficult to withhold its nationhood if the trusteeship agreement lapsed

The two areas already hgve spurned United Nations efforts to get them to federate United Nations-super-vised elections last year gave the Bahutu tribe control over Ruanda and these former serfs then steeped up attacks on their tall, liahtskinned erstwhile masters the Watusi. who for 400 years had been the aristocrats of the territory

The Belgians previously had bre en the Wa’susi power bv exiling their king An estimated 60.000 Watusi have fled Ruandi and estabI'shed themselves in the ad’Vning Congo provmce of Kivu A further 75.000 refugees are in Uganda. Tansany>a and Urundi Th : is nnlv the second time in United Nations history that the General Assembly has held a second resumed session The Assembly alreadv ha< met for a total of almos* 19 weeks, beginning last September, and the last recess was called in February The 104-nation body is expected to try to set up some sort of protective United Nations machinery in Ruan-da-Urundi. with the United States among those especially concerned about the prospects if the United "Nations does not take such measures The enormously expensive Congo operation has been a heavy financial burden on the United States, while manv other member States including the Soviet bloc have not contributed a penny to the cost Discussion of the situation in Southern Rhodesia has

been proposed by 39 AfroAsian countries as an additional item for the agenda of the resumed session, and it appeared to be touch and go today whether the question would get on the list. Members of the 21-nation Steering Committee are due to meet tomorrow to consider the proposal, with Britain leading a determined bid to defeat the Afro-Asian initiative

Britain’s representa t i v e dealing with colonial affairs (Sir Hugh Foot) addressed the Afro-Asian group last night, asserting that the postponement of elections in Southern Rhodesia until next spring had reduced the claim that the question was so urgent it could not wait until the 17th Assembly opens on September 18 Provisions of a proposed new constitution fbr Southern Rhodesia, which have been sharply criticised by the Special Committee on Colonialism, do not become effective until after the elections

Today's resumption, under' ths presidency of Mr Mongi Slim, of Tunisia, was to be given over principally to an address by the President of Cyprus (Archbishop Makarios) the 14th Head of GovernmerAifo appear before the Assembly during the 16th session

The chairman of the commission which visited Ruanda - Urundi. Miss Angie Brooks, of Liberia, also may present its report, clearing the way for the start of debate. probably tomorrow or on Monday. Coincidentally. Miss Brooks is chairman of the Trusteeship Committee which will debate the issue in the first instance before passing on its findings to plenary meetings of the Assembly