§ 3.19 p.m.
§ LORD COLYTONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what action the United Nations forces in the Congo are taking to assist the Congolese Government in restoring law and order in Kwilu Province.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, The United Nations carried out successful rescue operations, particularly of missionaries, in consultation with the Congolese Government. The latter, who are primarily responsible for law and order, have, I understand, made no request for United Nations military intervention. No British subjects are known to be in the area.
§ LORD COLYTONMy Lords, we have all seen the accounts of the horrors that have been perpetrated against missionaries and Congolese officials in this province. I would ask my noble friend whether he is aware that these terrorists are led by a man called Pierre Mulele, who was a former Minister, under Lumumba, and is a trained Chinese Communist guerrilla, and are acting under the orders of Christophe Gbenye, who is the head of the Communist organisation in Brazzaville dedicated to overthrowing the central Congolese Government. Will Her Majesty's Government ask the Secretary-General of the United Nations to suggest to the Congolese Government that United Nations troops should be used not merely to rescue missionaries and others from this area, but also to restore Congolese control of the territory and restore peace there—incidentally, in the way that was done against the peaceful and stable and pro-Western régime in Katanga under President Tshombe?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, the United Nations' strength is now very much reduced in the Congo. I do not think the Secretariat would take action unless they were requested to do so by the Congolese Government.