Evening star., 1963-01-02
AdouIa Offers
Full Amnesty
To TshOmbe
BY EARL II. VOSS
Star Staff Writer

Congolese Premier Adoula,
growing in political power with
each success of United Nations
forces in Katanga, has made
his first significant concession
to smooth the way for re-
migrating Katanga province.
In a New Years Day speech.
he made what appears to be
the first genuine offer Of a
complete amnesty for Katanga
President Noise Tshombe and
all his leading associates.
Until yesterday. RatangaI
leaders had complained that
the central government offered
amnesty only for persons ac-
cused of political offenses, not
for persons accused Of other
crimes.
Lumumba Staying Recalled
President Tshombe and other
Katangan leaders have been
charged by the central govern
ment with the murder of former
Premier Patrice Lumumba. So
they still would have been liable
to prosecution on this score
once Katanga returned to CEN
trail government control.
Mr.. Adoula's new statement, |
however, covers all offenses.
With Kstanga on the thresh-
old of re-integration, Premier
Adoula said he wishes to end
speculation regarding his gov
ernment's intention toward the
Katanga leaders.
THE refrigeration of South
Katanga will not entail any re-
prisals," he said in the speech
the text of which became avail
able in Washington today. I'VE
shall, on the contrary, be very
happy to have finally been
able to re-integrate all the
Congolese people and to have
resolved a problem that con-
stituted a heavy mortgage on
our future. These are not idle
words.
Kasavubu Action Noted
you also know that the
president of the republic, Jo-
seph Kasavubu, has solemnly
proclaimed an amnesty for po-
litical offenses. In so doing, he
has staked his personal honor
and the honor Of the regime
which he represents. For the
head of state for the govern
ment, for all the authorities
and for every CongoleSe, Ka-
tanga's return to the fold of |
the republic means the end of |
the climate of anxiety and in
security which has reigned.
THE re-integration of Ka-
tanga will mean for every citi-
zen Of the province full enjoy
ment of all his civic rights
throughout the full extent of
the Congolese Republic. The re-
strictions imposed on the peo-
pie by the Elisabethville au-
thorities Will thus be lifted. All
Katangans will have access to
office in the central govern
ment and to all posts of
responsibility"
In the same broadcast, Pre-
mier Adoula announced that
President Kasavubu had issued
a decree sending Parliament |
home for two months.
Rise in Power Seen
This was regarded here as
another indication Of Premier
Adoula's increasing power as
his policy for cooperation with
the United Nations and the
West appeared to be succeed
ing.
His opposition in Parliament
had accused him of being "a
fool and a traitor" for continu- !
ing to rely on the U. N. to force !
Katanga's re-integration. OPP
position leaders contended the |
U. N. had let down the Adoula
government twice before and
actually was a front for West !
ern nations seeking to colonize
the Congo once more.
On this basis, the opposition !
had threatened Mr.. Adoula /
with no-confidence votes and !
came within a few ballots of
unseating him in late Decem-
ber.
Now, however, with the
Adoula policy Of reliance on
the U. N. apparently succeed /
ing, Premier Adoula felt
strong enough to send Parlia-
ment home for two months
and be more magnanimous
toward the Tshombe group in