DATE=12/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243012
TITLE=CONGO FIGHTING (L ONLY)
BYLINE=TODD PITMAN
DATELINE=KIGALI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: REBELS IN CONGO - KINSHASA ARE CLAIMING MORE SUCCESS IN A
BATTLE WITH TROOPS ALLIED WITH CONGO'S GOVERNMENT. TODD PITMAN
REPORTS THE REBELS SAY THEY INFLICTED HEAVY LOSSES ON ZIMBABWEAN
TROOPS BACKING PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA.
TEXT: CONGOLESE REBEL CHIEF ERNEST WAMBA DIA WAMBA SAYS REBEL
FORCES KILLED 45 ZIMBABWEAN SOLDIERS IN FIGHTING (ON SUNDAY)
AROUND THE SOUTHEASTERN CONGOLESE TOWN OF KABALO.
MR. DIA WAMBA SAYS THE REBELS SHOT DOWN TWO HELICOPTERS IN
CLASHES AT THE WEEKEND AND KILLED TWO SENIOR ZIMBABWEAN OFFICERS.
RADIO RWANDA, CITING SOURCES IN KABALO, SAID THE REBELS HAD
CAPTURED ONE ZIMBABWEAN HELICOPTER GUNNER AND DESTROYED MANY
TANKS AND ARTILLERY BELONGING TO TROOPS ALLIED WITH THE
GOVERNMENT.
THE ZIMBABWEAN ARMY, WHICH BEGAN AN OFFENSIVE ON REBEL POSITIONS
IN EASTERN CONGO SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, ADMITTED THAT ONE OF ITS
HELICOPTERS WAS SHOT DOWN. ZIMBABWE SAYS 80 REBELS WERE KILLED.
KABALO, A SMALL VILLAGE SITUATED IN THE NORTH OF KATANGA
QROVINCE, HAS BEEN THE SITE OF FREQUENT BATTLES BETWEEN TROOPS
FROM GOVERNMENT ALLIES AND THE REBELS SINCE IT FELL FROM
GOVERNMENT HANDS IN OCTOBER.
THE REBELS, WHO ARE RECEIVING MILITARY SUPPORT FROM NEIGHBORING
RWANDA AND UGANDA, SAY THEY ARE CONTINUING THEIR PUSH INTO
KATANGA PROVINCE, HOME TO THE COUNTRY'S VAST COPPER MINING
INDUSTRY.
THE FIGHTING IN SOUTHERN CONGO COMES BEFORE AN O-A-U SUMMIT THAT
IS TO OPEN IN BURKINA FASO ON THURSDAY. OFFICIALS AT THE MEETING
ARE EXPECTED TO DISCUSS A PROPOSED CEASEFIRE TO END THE
FOUR-MONTH-OLD CONGO CONFLICT. (SIGNED)
NEB/TP/JWH
15-Dec-98 10:53 AM EST (1553 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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