§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is true that United Nations representatives in the Congo have threatened to occupy with armed forces the towns of Kipushi, Kolwezi, Jadotville and Kamina or any of them; whether law and order are not effectively maintained in these towns at the present time; and whether armed occupation would not be contrary to the policy which the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs advocated in his last reply to a Question in this House, and likely to frustrate the negotiations in progress between President Tshombe and the United Nations.]
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF HOME)My Lords, I understand that the United Nations representatives in the Congo have discussed with Mr. Tshombe the sending of United Nations troops to Kolwezi and Jadotville. I am assured that the intention of the United Nations is to move these troops with the agreement of the Katanga Provincial Government. Such joint action by the United Nations and Mr. Tshombe would appear to be consistent with the Kitona Agreement. Her Majesty's Government have repeatedly said that the role of the United Nations is to assist in a reconciliation between Mr. Adoula and Mr. Tshombe and they trust that nothing will be done to disturb the progress being made in this regard.
§ THE EARL OF SWINTONMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that Answer, which I am sure will be received with great satisfaction in all quarters of the House, may I ask him whether he is aware that there were most substantial reports, I think from Associated Press, on which I put down my Question, and whether it would be possible to make sure that such reports do not circulate unless they have active foundation?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I think that is perhaps asking rather a lot.
467 I cannot control what reports newspaper correspondents send from the Congo or, indeed, anywhere else. I hope there is no substance in these reports; that is why I have laid such great stress upon any action which is taken by the United Nations being taken in conjunction with Mr. Tshombe, because I think it would be an utter disaster if, after these weeks when the fighting has ceased, and when progress has been made between Mr. Adoula's Central Government and the Provincial Government of Mr. Tshombe, fighting were to break out again.
§ LORD HENDERSONMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether it is not true that the negotiations between the Provincial Government of Tshombe and the Central Government are making satisfactory progress and with the prospect of agreement being reached?
THE EARL OF HOMEMy Lords, I have no reason to think that the talks are not making satisfactory progress. The representatives of Mr. Tshombe are in Leopoldville and they are, I understand, working out with representatives of the Central Government and Members of Parliament in Leopoldville the application of the Loi Fondamentale. It is probable, I think, that they will take a considerable time, because constitutional matters are very complicated. I do not want to see, in any other Provinces in the Congo, any action which would upset this peaceful progress.