HC Deb 01 August 1962 vol 664 cc103-4W
87. Mr. Warbey

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the situation in the Congo.

Mr. P. Thomas

There have been no further incidents since the disturbances at the road block in Elisabethville on 17th July and the situation has in general remained calm.

M. Adoula announced on 28th July that he had requested the United Nations to provide a team of jurists specialised in constitutional law, and including an African, to assist the Congolese Central Government in drawing up a new constitution. M. Tshombe, for his part, announced that Katanga was ready to send to Leopoldville its delegates to the Commissions which are to work out the practical aspects of the reintegration of Katanga into the Congo, as soon as the Central Government and the United Nations nominated their representatives. M. Tshombe also proposed the creation of a fifth commission, charged with the elaboration of a federal type constitution.

The Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations has been keeping in close touch with the situation, and discussed it in New York on 24th July with the Congo Advisory Committee.

Back to