DATE=4/16/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248204
TITLE=CONGO/TALKS (L ONLY)
BYLINE=KELLYS KAUNDA
DATELINE=LUSAKA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: NOT VOICED
INTRO: TALKS AIMED AT SECURING A CEASE-FIRE IN THE WAR IN THE
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO ARE UNDERWAY IN THE ZAMBIAN CAPITAL
OF LUSAKA. THE TALKS ARE BEING ATTENDED BY ALL THE COUNTRIES
INVOLVED IN THE CONGO WAR EXCEPT ANGOLA, WHOSE ATTENDANCE HAS
NOT BEEN CONFIRMED. REPORTER KELLYS KAUNDA FILED THIS REPORT
FROM LUSAKA.
TEXT: THOSE IN ATTENDANCE INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM NAMIBIA,
UGANDA, ZIMBABWE, CHAD, CONGO-KINSHASA AND HOST COUNTRY ZAMBIA.
THE REBELS FIGHTING CONGOLESE PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA ARE ALSO
IN ATTENDANCE. THEY ARE BEING LED BY KALENGA KYALUMBA, THE
REBELS' DIRECTOR FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
THE PARTICIPANTS ARE MAINLY DEFENSE AND FOREIGN-AFFAIRS EXPERTS
WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS TO PREPARE TECHNICAL DETAILS OF A
CEASE-FIRE AGREEMENT. WHEN FINISHED, THE DOCUMENT IS TO BE
PRESENTED TO FOREIGN MINISTERS FROM THE VARIOUS COUNTRIES, WHO IN
TURN WILL PRESENT THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO A SUMMIT MEETING OF
THEIR HEADS OF STATE.
// OPT // UNITED NATIONS SPECIAL ENVOY TO THE DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO, MUSTAPHA NIASSE, IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE
SATURDAY TO JOIN THE TALKS, WHICH ARE BEING HELD (AT MULUNGUSHI
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER) BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. // END OPT
//
THE CURRENT FIGHTING IN CONGO-KINSHASA HAS RAGED SINCE EARLY
AUGUST LAST YEAR. PREVIOUS TALKS AIMED AT BRINGING ABOUT A
CEASE-FIRE AND A PEACE SETTLEMENT HAVE ENDED IN FAILURE --
LARGELY BECAUSE THE REBEL SIDE HAS BEEN EXCLUDED FROM DIRECT
PARTICIPATION.
PRESIDENT LAURENT KABILA RECENTLY AGREED TO MEET WITH THE REBELS,
RAISING HOPES THAT THE CURRENT TALKS MAY FINALLY END THE
FIGHTING. (SIGNED)
NEB/KK/BEL/PCF/WTW
16-Apr-99 1:30 PM EDT (1730 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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