Evening star., 1963-01-04

II Inc star with its eX-
tensive news sources finds it
difficult to know what is 60
ing on in Katanga and the
Congo, 1t Is not surprising
that the rest of us are be-
wildered. A few facts, how
ever, seem to emerge.
The United Nations, that
highly touted organization
for world peace, has, like a
snake, slipped out of its pac-
ifist skin and is now appear
ing in its militaristic skin,
poison fangs and all. In the
name of world peace, it is
using planes, bombs, and
armed troops to force its will
on a small state in Africa.
Every school child in Amer
lea has been taught that the
United Nations is the only
hope for world peace and now
1t is on display in Africa as
the worst aggreSsor of all.
The implications in the Ka-
tanga incident" should be
clear to all small nations
and some of the larger ones.
Heel and do as you are told
or the United Nations will
send its peace juggernaut,
equipped with the best mil
itary weapons and troops to
enforce the peace in your
country"
The United States seems
to be the principal supporter
Of this latest U. N. peace"
expedition. The news Is quite
vague as to whether Con-
gress, our President, or any
other nations have been con-
suited. U Thant seems to be
running the show with the
United States paying the
bills, as usual. Is it possible
that the U. N. can at any
time, without advice or con-
sent, send its military ma
chine anywhere to force any
unco-operative nation do as
as it demands? If this is
true now or should become
true. haven't we and other
duped members created a
Frankenstein which can des-
troy us as 1t has little Ka-
tanga?
A congressional investiga-
ton Of the Katanga affair
should have top priority. We
need to know whether our
money and membership in
the United Nations are be-
ing used to promote friend
ship. good will and justice
among nations or If they are
being used to promote the
ambitions and aggressions of
a ruthless super-government
which has as its symbol a
sinister dove of peace.
Ruby Upton Curd.
Any analogy is false which
seeks TO compare the Ameri-
can struggle for independ-
ence some 1876 years ago with
the attempts at secession
from the Central Congolese
Government by Katanga
Provinces President Noise
Tshombe. In support Of this,
historian Arnold Toynbee has
observed:
THE main cause Of the
present deplorable situation
is Belgium's intention. until a
short time ago. TO go on
ruling the Congo, and 10 go
on drawing economic profits
from 1t, for an indefinite time
to come. Consistent with this
intention, Belgium deliber-
ately conditioned her Congo
lese subjects. She trained
them for elementary indus
trial Jobs in which they were
useful TO her. but she pre-
vented them from obtaining
any higher education and
from gaining experience In
ruling the country through
being given responsible posts.
-. II fully accounts for the
Congolese peoples resentment
against their former Belgian
rulers, for their relapse into
tribal quarrels. and for their
present failure 10 manage
their affairs on modern lines"
The crux OF the problem,
which Tshombe has played
10 fullest advantage. is eco
Monies: as Mr.. u Thant has
remarked. THE problem OF
the Congo is Katanga. the
problem OF Katanga is Union
Miniere, the problem OF Union
Miniere is Belgium and
France" The Union Miniere
du Haut-Katanga. owned and
directed by European inter-
estS, Is one OF the worlds
fantastically wealthy mining
complexes. That its mineral
wealth is vital 10 more than
merely the functioning OF the
Central Congolese Govern
ment, may be inferred from
Encyclopedia Britain nicas
statements: