Evening star., 1961-03-03
Congo Troops
In PortCity
Tensions Also Rise
To New Heights
In LeopoIdviIIe

LEOPOLDVLLE, The Congo,
Mar. 8 (AP).-United Nations
Sudanese troops and Congolese
soldiers fought a gun battle in
the Atlantic port Of Banana
today, the U. N. reported. Anti
U. N. tensions reached new
heights in Leopoldville.
Preliminary U. N. reports said
one Congolese soldier was
killed.
In Leopoldville all q. N. non
military personnel were ordered
to leave their offices early and
proceed directly to their homes
to avoid the possibility of
clashes with Congolese army
units roaming the streets.
Dispute Over Airport
Unruly Congolese troops
launched a series of attacks on
U. N. personnel Sunday and
the capital was slowly getting
back to normal when the news
came from Banana.
The incident came at a time
when the Congolese govern
ment also, was at odds with
the U. N. command over a
demand that it be allowed to
guard Leopoldville airport.
The fighting at Banana
broke out in the afternoon
when Congolese troops at
tempted to arrest a U. N. radio
operator. The U. N. spokesman
said the reason for the at
tempted arrest was not clear.
When the Sudanese seized
two Of the Congolese and tried
to return them to their camp,
oher Congolese troops opened
fire on them. After the
SudaneSe returned the fire.
one Congolese was believed
killed, the U. N. spokesman
said.
Action Continues
When first reports Of the in
cident reached LeopoldviIle,
both U.N. and Congolese army
headquarters flashed signals to
the seaport, 800 miles to the
west, ordering all fighting to
cease. Late reports tonight
indicated attempts to stop the
battle were under way but
the action was still continu-
ing.
The Sudanese troops were
using new orders to U.N.
troops to fire on Congolese
soldiers if necessary to defend
themselves.
The fighting was bound to
worsen relations between the
central government and the
U. N. command, coming close
on the argument over who will
guard Leopoldville airport.
The dispute was a symptom of
the tensions between the U. N.
command and President Joseph
Kasavubu's government. The
United Nations refused to
withdraw its airport guards
in favor Of the Congolese. The
U. N. command said it has to
guard its lines Of communica-
ton.
KaSavubu Reluctant
Mr.. Kasavubu has been re-
luctant to cooperate with the
United Nations. He has de-
manded the recall Of Rajesh-
war Dayal, the U. MS Congo
chief, on the ground that Mr..
Dayal has allowed the control
of leftist forces in Stanley
vile to spread over a third Of
the country.
Mr.. KaSavubu is following q
policy Of conciliation with the
Congo's other anti-C -Commu-
mist leaders. President Noise
Tshombe Of Katanga Province
and Albert Kalonji, chief Of
the Mining State Of South
Kasat.
In a conciliatory move yes
terday, Interior Minister Cyril
Adoula said q number Of po-
litical prisoners will be freed
by Mr.. Kasavubu's govern
ment. He did not identify
them. but said prisoners files
will be examined and they will
be released If their crimes were
minor.
All was reported quiet in
Luluabourg. scene of the worst
massacre since the tumultuous
days after independence last
summer. The United Nations
reported Congolese troops killed
A civilians in the city about