Attack ‘aims to end rocket tests’

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 8

Attack ‘aims to end rocket tests’

NZPA-Reuter London The “Observer” newspaper in London has said that East Germany is masterminding the fighting in Zaire, apparently to stop tests of a new West German rocket to launch spy satellites. A front-page report byColin Legum. the paper's Commonwealth correspondent, said: “East Germans, not Cubans, are masterminding the military attack against President Mobutu’s regime in Zaire.” The unsourced report continued: “The East Germans involvement in the anti-Mo-butu struggle appears to be 'directly linked to the role I they have played in trying ito stop the West German I company, Otrag, from developing a new type of lowcost, long-range rocket to lift ‘spy’ satellites. “Mobutu has a secret agreement with Otrag allowing it to use the whole of Shaba province for the rocket development programme,” the paper It added: “East Germany was allocated the role of destablising the Mobutu regime on behalf of the Warsaw Pact powers exactly two years ago . . . during the ninth congress of the East German Communist Party.” The Paris newspaper, “Le 'Figaro,” has said that the 'first liberated white hostages ;in Kolwezi, reported that Cubans had been driving tanks around the city before the French Foreign Legion paratroopers arrived. The Cubans left apparently after learning the French paratroopers were on the way, the newspaper said. Before leaving, the Cubans machine-gunned to death several Europeans, according to the report from the news- ; paper’s correspondent in I Zaire, who did not quote a source for the information. ; The Cubans left behind a ; dozen tanks, some scout cars, and several hundred i well-armed Katanga rebels, the paper said. ! In Havana, however, Cuba | has repeated that, it has ■ no links with rebel forces in 'Shaba. ; Cuba had not trained the rebels, had not given them equipment, and had taken no part in their actions, a Gov- ! ernment announcement said.