Stanleyville Assault

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 13

Stanleyville Assault

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright) LEOPOLDVILLE, November 19. Congolese Government units based at Kindu today were reported to have made probing attacks towards the rebel-held city of Stanleyville. These reports were after a statement by Major Mike Hoare, leader of the Congo Government’s Englishspeaking mercenary force, that a full-scale attack would be launch on Stanleyville today. Major Hoare was speaking to reporters in Leopoldville before leaving for Kindu to lead the attack. “With the rebels holding so many hostages, the attack must be a powerful, well coordinated one without any hitches,” Major Hoare said. Government forces have been building up supplies and men at Kindu, about 300 road

miles south of Stanleyville, since they recaptured it from rebels two weeks ago. Time Needed Major Hoare said time had been needed to build up the main force for the assault on Stanleyville.

The rebel “President” Christophe Gbenye has been warned that the American Government holds the rebel leaders responsible for the safety of Dr. Paul Carlson, the American medical missionary threatened with execution as a spy, and the 60 American citizens now in rebel-held territory. An American Embassy spokesman said the American Note had been transmitted through Bujumbura, capital of Burundi, and acknowledged by the rebel leader. About 1000 white people

are still in rebel-controlled territory. The 60 Americans and about 700 Belgians were made “prisoners of war” 12 days ago. There are also about 100 Italians and about 75 Britons—some 25 of them in Stanleyville itself. No Direct Contact

In Washington a State Department spokesman said the U.S. still had no direct contact with the rebels and had received no response to the appeal for Dr. Carlson’s life. He said he had no confirmation of a report that the execution was now set for next Monday. Belgian diplomats were understood to have made a renewed attempt to persuade the Congo Government to open peace talks with the rebels but without success.