§ 71. Sir T. Beamishasked the Lord Privy Seal what reports he has received from the United Nations of offensive military operations by the Congolese Central Government forces against Kongolo in Northern Katanga and in other parts of Katanga; and what action 68W is being taken by the United Nations to end the fighting in the light of their declared intention to prevent civil war.
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe situation in the Kongolo area is obscure. On 3rd December the Katanga authorities announced that their forces in the town were still holding out. Press reports have since spoken of the fall of Kongolo, but I have no official confirmation of this. In a letter to Mr. Tshombe, Mr. Gardiner, the Chief United Nations Representative in the Congo, has referred to bombing activities in North Katanga engaged in by Katangese aircraft, and has said that they must be brought to an end. Mr. Gardiner has also informed Mr. Tshombe that a United Nations military detachment is being sent to Kongolo. I understand that their task will be to restore order and civil administration. I have received no reports of fighting in other parts of Katanga.
§ 72 and 73. Mr. C. Johnsonasked the Lord Privy Seal (1) what representations have been received from the United States Government and the United Nations Secretary-General concerning the United Nations plan for national reconciliation in the Congo;
(2) if he will make a statement concerning the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the United Nations Secretary-General's plan for national reconciliation in the Congo.
§ Mr. P. ThomasHer Majesty's Government publicly welcomed the Plan for National Reconciliation when it was put forward in August and have consistently given it their full support. As I stated on 10th December, it is still our hope that the parties will reach agreement on the outstanding issues and that the Plan will thus be fully and fairly implemented. So far as representations on the Plan are concerned, Her Majesty's Government are in constant contact on this subject both with the United Nations and with other governments concerned.
§ 77. Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that a third United Nations offensive against Katanga has been prepared; what clarifications he has sought and obtained from the United Nations in this respect, 69W particularly since the fighting round Kongolo; whether he will give an assurance that Her Majesty's Government will oppose United Nations sanctions against Katanga and continue to resist attempts to impose a solution by force; and what reconsideration has been given to the United Kingdom's contributions to the United Nations operations in the ex-Belgian Congo, and to the United Nations bond issue.
§ Mr. P. ThomasThe United Kingdom Permanent Representative in New York has been assured by the United Nations Secretariat that they will not take any military initiative in the Congo, and this has been reiterated by Mr. Gardiner in his letter to Mr. Tshombe which was published in New York on 10th December. We are in constant contact with the United Nations on all aspects of the Congo operation. Our reservations on the use of sanctions against Katanga were made clear to the Acting Secretary-General on 11th August and Her Majesty's Government have, on numerous occasions expressed their opposition to any attempt to impose a solution by force. The United Kingdom has already paid all assessed contributions to the United Nations operations in the Congo, and has also paid for the United Nations Bonds which we had agreed to purchase. The question of reconsideration does not therefore arise.