Attacks Made On Congolese Rebels

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 13

Attacks Made On Congolese Rebels

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LEOPOLDVILLE, May 29. Congolese Government forces, led by the mercenary Colonel Mike Hoare, have launched an attack on insurgent bases in the Bondo area of the northern Congo, where about 100 Europeans are said to be held hostage, some of them for as long as nine months.

According to reports reaching Leopoldville, another mer-cenary-led force, striking out from Paulis, north-west of Stanleyville, lost two killed and several wounded in a clash with insurgents. Neither group met strong resistance. Colonel Hoare’s commandos are reported to have freed two missionaries at Bill, 125 miles north of Stanleyville. Their nationalities are not yet known, but it is thought that they might be from a Norwegian Protestant mission. About half the hostages are thought to be missionaries of

various nationalities. The rest are believed to be Portuguese, Greek and Belgian businessmen. Informed sources say they are being held in two groups at Bondo and at nearby Buta, home area of Mr Christophe Gbenye, the Prime Minister of the “Congolese Revolutionary Government.”