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Atlanta Daily World
Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
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Belgium warns UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold against military intervention in secessionist Katanga province, Congo, emphasizing non-interference in internal affairs and preferring a federal structure for the country after talks in Brussels.
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BRUSSELS (UPI) Belgium Wednesday warned United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold here against a U. N. military move into the secessionist Congolese province of Katanga and said it was not the U. N.'s business to mix in internal affairs.
Foreign Minister Pierre Wigny declared that Belgium continues to recognize the unity of an independent Congo. But he indicated strongly Belgium would like to see the Congo organized in the federated form of "a United States of the Congo."
Wigny disclosed the Belgian warning in a news conference shortly after Hammarskjold had flown to the Congo for a personal look in that former Belgian colony following five hours of talks with Belgian officials here.
Wigny said the Belgians told Hammarskjold that withdrawal of Belgian troops from Katanga could only be discussed after the U. N. had pacified the rest of the chaotic Congo.
Wigny, along with Premier Gaston Eyskens and Defense Minister Arthur Gilson, outlined the Belgian stand on the Congo at a joint news conference after a three-hour cabinet meeting following Hammarskjold's visit.
FEARS MILITARY MOVE
Wigny said Belgium fears that a U. N. military move into Katanga Province would weaken secessionist Premier Moise Tshombe's position and strengthen the hand of central government Premier Patrice Lumumba.
After referring to the Katanga, he added quickly: "It is not United Nations business to mix in internal political affairs."
"Belgium gave the Congo independence," Wigny said. "It recognized the unity of the country and continues to do so and if this unity takes the form of a United States of Congo it will be recognized by Belgium because we are not mixing in internal Congolese affairs either."
Wigny said several Congolese leaders were not in agreement with the present political setup in that African republic but he did not elaborate.
Hammarskjold flew to Africa as the Congo's economy and health measures were reported near collapse.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Katanga, Congo
Event Date
Wednesday
Key Persons
Outcome
belgium recognizes congo's unity but prefers federal structure; belgian troops withdrawal from katanga conditional on un pacifying rest of congo; fears un move would strengthen central government over secessionists.
Event Details
Belgium's Foreign Minister Pierre Wigny warned UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold against a UN military move into secessionist Katanga province, stating it is not the UN's business to interfere in internal Congolese affairs. This followed talks in Brussels and Hammarskjold's subsequent flight to Congo. Belgium continues to recognize Congo's unity and supports a federated 'United States of the Congo' structure. Withdrawal of Belgian troops from Katanga would only be discussed after UN pacification of the rest of Congo.