Student Leader Asks End To Interference in Congo

A Congolese student leader yesterday called for an end to the East-West rivalry in his country as the best means of ending factionalism and restoring political stability.

Henri Takizala, President of the National Union of Students of the Congo, made a plea that the East and the West "temper their conflict and allow the Congolese themselves to come together and solve their problems." If this is not done, Takizala foresaw the possibility of the Congo's becoming "another Korea," a divided country with Western influence centered in Leopoldville and Soviet influence dominating stanleyville.

In analyzing the complicated political tangle in the Congo, Takizala said he was inclined to accept the neutralization of political factionalism resulting from Mobutu's seizure of power. He expressed doubt that Mobutu would relax his grip in the near future since "the condition of political stability which was announced as the contingency for a resumption of normal politics has not yet occurred."

Question's Mobutu's Move

Although agreeing that Mobutu's actions were necessary, Takizala questioned the wisdom of the move which initially touched off the trouble--President Kasavubu's firing of then Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Although the step was within the constitutional power of the President, it was an emergency power intended for extreme cases, according to Takizala. "I wonder now if it was very wise," he said.

Takizala based his questioning of Kasavubu's judgment on an assumption that Lumumba, at the time, was the only true national leader in the Congo. He noted that Kasavubu's removal of Lumumba may have been at the instigation of Belgium.

Takizala has been a guest of the National Student Association while touring the United States for three weeks. He will return to the Congo on Sunday.