U.N. CONGO EFFORT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29931, 19 September 1962, Page 9

U.N. CONGO EFFORT

U Thant Has Confidence

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter — Copyright) NEW YORK. Sept 17. The United Nations Secre-tary-General (U Thant) today expressed confidence that the United Nations effort in the Congo would in time fully succeed

He spoke at the unveiling of a bronze plaque in memcry of the previous SecretaryGeneral. Mr Dag Hammarskjold. who died during a mission of reconciliation to the Congo. Excerpts from the ceremony were televised across the Atlantic by way of the Telestar satellite in a 30minute programme produced by the United Nations Television Service.

U Thant, the Tunisian president of the 16th General Assembly (Mr M:ngi Slim), and the Swedish nresident pro tern of the Dae Hammarsk’old Foundation (Mrs Alva Mvrdal> all paid tribute to Mr Hammarskiold during the unveiling ceremony. Leading diplomats from all parts of the world, who are gathering for the opening of the 17 th General Assembly tomorrow, were present, as well as many leading citizens of New York. The plaque is placed in the wall outside the non-denom-inational meditation room, just inside the public entrance to the General Assembly building Katanga Attack In Elisabethville. President Tshombe said today be had learned the Congolese Nationalist Army had ordered a general attack on Katanga He said the Congolese Army Commander-in-Chief. General Joseph Mobutu, had issued orders to all his units Mr Tshombe made the statement in releasing the text of a message to the United Nations chief representative in the Congo, Mr Robert Gardiner. The message said the Katangese Army “will defend itself in all cases of attack " ‘We call on you." President Tshombe tcld Mr Gardiner, “to carry out your responsibP'Hes ” Earlier today, a wellinformed Katangese source claimed the Congolese Army had launched a strong offensive against Katangese positions in the Kongolo area north of Elisabethville yesterday. A United Nations spokesman disclaimed any knowledge of the reported attack Last week. President Tshombe told a press conference the Congolese Army was planning an offensive in North Katanga for September 18. He accused the United Nations of aiding the Congolese army.