FROM THE FREE PRESS ARCHIVES

India has taken a big step, the consequences of which it is difficult to foresee now, in deciding to send a large contingent of its armed forces to the Congo. Undoubtedly this is an action in the best interests of the Congo and the spirit of the San Fransisco Charter of the United Nations. In all conscience the Government of India could not have acted otherwise as its refusal to accede to the request of the United Nations was likely to be interpreted as a dereliction of duty. Nevertheless, its implications are far-reaching. Although by placing its troops at the disposal of the world body India does not compromise its non-aligned status, it may become difficult in the process of bringing about order in the Congo for it to escape being identified with one or the other factions fighting for supremacy in the Congo. For one thing, the Indian contingent of 3,000 will constitute the single largest national unit of the U.N. forces and its responsibility will be commensurate. For another, the United Nations itself is hopelessly divided on the nature of the action required in the Congo. The Government of India has tried to assert the independent status of the troops by laying down several conditions for their use. Thus, the troops are not to be used for “the suppression of any popular movements,” nor “in support of parties or factions that are challenging the U.N.'s authority. ”There is no faction in the Congo today that does not challenge the authority or bona fides of the U.N. And 'popular movements' may mean different things to India and the U.N. Even assuming that the Congolese armed units and the Belgian mercenaries and para-military forces the only 'factions' against which Indian troops are allowed to be used-are finally brought to heel, there will still remain other factions, notably that of Gizenga and Kalonji, to be Government. Apart from the fact that the Kasavubu Government continues to be a legal member of the United Nations, it represents no one other than the President and his henchmen and has no political or moral right to recognition. This is not unknown to New Delhi. If the U.N. actions succeed in eventually restoring the Congo to Kasavubu. India will have played an important part in it. It is doubtful if such an eventuality will add luster to India's prestige in Africa and the world. March 6, 1961