By Gerard E. Sherry

A letter from this writer has brought forth a promise from U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Adlai E. Stevenson, to press for a full investigation concerning reports of alleged excesses by U.N. troops in Katanga province of the Congo.

Stevenson said the United States “does not for one moment condone any form of brutality or atrocity in connection with the peace-keeping efforts of the UN” during its recent military operations in the secessionist Congo province.

Reports have accused UN troops of various excesses in the Katanga capital of Elizabethville and surrounding areas. These include looting of churches, profanation of the Blessed Sacrament and attacks on civilians.

Charges that UN troops engaged in such actions were made in Brussels, Belgium, by Archbishop Joseph Cornelis, O.S.B. of Elizabethville and in Elizabethville itself by Father Edouard Kileshie, vicar general of the archdiocese.

The reports blamed the excesses on Ethiopian and Tunisian troops serving with the UN forces.

Text of the correspondence follows:

Dear Ambassador Stevenson:

This letter is written to you from a staunch supporter of the United Nations and a writer whose editorial policies have constantly supported the U.N.

However, I am wondering whether you could give me any information as to what the United States delegation is doing over confirmed reports of excesses committed by some United Nations troops in the most recent operations in the Congo.

I recently published some wire service stories concerning alleged sacrilege committed by Ethiopian troops against Catholics churches in Elizabethville and surrounding area. I attach copy of a story concerning the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Elizabethville. Allowing for possible exaggeration and the politics involved, it seems clear that Ethiopians (and others under the command of the UN) have violated human rights under the guise of military action.

I think you will agree that even though the U.S. is wise in supporting the U. N. Congo military operations, it should not endorse and should protest any confirmed excesses committed by U. N. troops. I am most willing to agree that in war these things happen, but they should also be avoided whenever possible. The U.S. surely should demand from the secretary general of the U. N. a complete report on the conduct of Ethiopian troops involved in this action.

Believe me, Sir, a lot of good will for the United Nations is being dissipated by the U.S. delegation’s silence on such matters. I personally think this is a great pity, because we need more and more Americans who will support both the lofty ideals of their own country and those of the United Nations.

Yours sincerely,

Gerard E. Sherry

Managing Editor

Dear Mr. Sherry:

I am grateful to you for your letter of January 11, and for sending me the copy of a story concerning the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Elizabethville. We have previously received some atrocity reports but this is the first one that I have received directly from an editor.

I immediately initiated a request for the United Nations to make a thorough investigation of these reports on the spot. At the same time I conveyed my deep concern over these continuing reports and urged the United Nations authorities to do everything they could to prevent such occurrences in the future. It is indeed an extremely serious situation in the Congo and the United States does not for one moment condone any form of brutality or atrocity in connection with the peace-making efforts of the United Nations.

I hope to be able to send to you some definite information in the future. Meanwhile please be sure that we will do everything possible to obtain a full investigation of these reports.

Cordially yours,

Adlai E. Stevenson