Precautions At Miners’ Funeral

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 13

Precautions At Miners ’ Funeral

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright)

BRUSSELS, Feb. 3.

Work will stop today at all mines and factories in the “black triangle” of Limburg province for the funeral of two miners killed in Monday’s rioting at the village of Waterschei.

The victims, 26-year-old Jan Latos and 25-year-old Valere Sclep, both naturalised Belgians, will be buried in two different village cemeteries in order to break up the funeral procession. At the same time officers in command of the strong paratroop and riot police forces in the area have been ordered to keep their men

as much as possible out of sight to avoid provoking angry mourners.

In Brussels last night the Prime Minister, Mr Harmel, and other Ministers responsible for social problems met trade union officials from Limburg accompanied by leaders of the main Belgian trade union organisations. Jobs Promised The Ministers gave assurances that miners left without work because of the closure of mines would be provided with jobs through the introduction of new industries. The Government also assured them that the Zwartberg mine, where the threatened closure started the weekend riots, would not be closed until new jobs were found for the miners. It remains to be seen, however, whether the strikers will follow the advice of their trade union leaders to return to work on the strength of

the Government’s promises. During the rioting of the last few days the unions completely lost control over their members and some local leaders were even manhandled by the strikers.