On 13 January 1959, Baudouin I, King of the Belgians, makes a statement to the Chamber of Deputies in which he announces the Belgian State’s resolve to initiate a self-determination process in the Belgian Congo. In its news programme, RTL broadcasts an extract of this address before handing over to Maurice van Hemelrijck, Minister for the Congo and Ruanda-Urundi, who outlines the Belgian Government’s determination gradually to enable the Congolese people to take a decision on their political independence.