Kasavubu Arrests, Releases Tshombe

Press, Volume C, Issue 29499, 28 April 1961, Page 13

Kasavubu Arrests, Releases Tshombe

(H.Z P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) (Rec. 9 p.m.) LEOPOLDVILLE, April 27. President Moise Tshombe, of Katanga, was arrested in Coquilhatville by troops of the Congolese Central Government yesterday, but was later released and is expected to be allowed to fly home to Elisabethville today.

Mr Tshombe, who has been attending a conference of Congo leaders, was on his way to his plane when he was surrounded by 20 Congolese soldiers

Just before his arrest. Mr Tshombe jovially posed for photographers in a begging pose on his knees, mocking the way he claims President Joseph Kasavubu. head of the Central Congo Government in Leopoldville, bows to the United Nations. Mr Tshombe had earlier expressed disgust with other Congolese politicians, wjjo. he said, were more interested in their personal comfort than in finding a solution to the Congo crisis He accused the Leopoldville authorities of making deals behind his back and of failing to live up to solemn agreements concluded last month at the Tananarive conference The decision to allow the President to leave was the result of the intervention of two members of the Centra! Government. Mr Justin Bomboko, Foreign Minister, and Mr Jean Bolikango Vice-Premier, Elisabethville Radio said The arrest of Mr Tshombe appeared to confirm earlier reports that his status as* the Congo’s most stable political force was in jeopardy Even in his own capital observers saw him as being at odds with other delegates to this week’s conference al Coquilhatville His bargaining power with them slipped seriously with reports that Katanga—the richest province in the Congo—was being run at a deficit Mr Tshombe went to the meeting of Congolese leaders in Tananarive as the only solvent delegate at the conference table. It is generally agreed that

with careful t management the present financial deficit in copper-rich Katanga could be turned into a healthy surplus The primary aims of the Coquilhatville meeting were to work out the details of decisions reached at the Tananarive meeting, and to discuss the economic and financial situation

But one key figure is missing—Mr Antoine Gizenga. head of the Lumumbist Government in Stanleyville.