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DATE=8/6/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N - CONGO PEACEKEEPING (L - ONLY)
NUMBER=2-252558
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council has 
authorized the deployment of a special military team 
to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly 
Zaire.  The team will pave the way for a possible U-N 
peacekeeping force in the country, as we hear from U-N 
correspondent Max Ruston.
TEXT:  The Security Council unanimously approved a 
resolution authorizing the deployment of up to 90 
military personnel for three months to Congo and 
neighboring countries.  The resolution says the 
military team will establish contacts with all parties 
to the Congo cease-fire agreement signed on August 
first.  It will work with those parties in developing 
plans for the implementation of the agreement, provide 
technical assistance, gather information for the U-N 
Secretary-General and secure guarantees of cooperation 
for the possible deployment of a peacekeeping force.
U-N Spokesman Fred Eckhard:
            /// ECKHARD ACT ///
      The Council this (Friday) morning just created 
      the U-N's latest peacekeeping operation, paving 
      the way for blue helmets (peacekeeping troops) 
      to go back to the Democratic Republic of the 
      Congo almost 40 years after the U-N mission in 
      the Congo was established in 1960.
            /// END ACT ///
There are currently 16 U-N peacekeeping missions 
around the world.  The mission to the Congo will be 
the 17th, once it is deployed.
U-N officials say they want the mission to prevent the 
already tense security situation surrounding the Congo 
from worsening.  They hope this can be done by quickly 
reinforcing the cease-fire agreement signed on August 
first.  The Congolese government, five neighboring 
countries and one rebel group, The Movement for the 
Liberation of the Congo, signed that agreement.  
Another rebel group, the Congolese Rally for 
Democracy, did not sign the agreement, raising 
concerns that it might be difficult to implement.
Fighting between rebel groups and the Congolese 
government started about one year ago.  It now 
involves the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 
the support of Angola, Zimbabwe, and Namibia fighting 
against rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda.
U-N officials say up to 10-thousand peacekeepers would 
be needed to ensure peace in the region.  They say 
peacekeepers will gradually be deployed once it is 
clear that the situation on the ground has stabilized.
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/ENE/gm
06-Aug-1999 15:55 PM EDT (06-Aug-1999 1955 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.