DATE=9/2/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SOUTHERN AFRICA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-253377
BYLINE=DELIA ROBERTSON
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe says he is
pleased his country will be able to withdraw its
forces from Congo-Kinshasa, following the signing of a
peace agreement by leaders of rebel groups earlier
this week. As V-O-A's Delia Robertson reports from
our Southern Africa bureau, Mr. Mugabe spoke after a
meeting with South African President Thabo Mbeki in
Pretoria.
TEXT: Robert Mugabe says Zimbabwe is happy to
withdraw its forces from Congo-Kinshasa, not because
they sustained losses, but rather because they had
achieved their objective.
Zimbabwe forces were fighting on the side of Congolese
government forces against rebels opposed to the
government of President Laurent Kabila. The July 10th
peace agreement was signed this week by the Congo
Rally for Democracy -- the last of the rebel movements
to do so.
South African President Thabo Mbeki told reporters
after meeting the Zimbabwean President in Pretoria
that the two leaders discussed bilateral economic
cooperation and how it might benefit regional
development. They agreed to work on the development
of cross-border wildlife parks to encourage tourism to
Southern Africa.
The leaders also discussed the development of the so-
called Beira corridor -- the road connection from
Harare in Zimbabwe to Beira in Mozambique. The route
is of particular importance to Zimbabwe because Beira
is the country's closest seaport.
Immediately following his meeting with Mr. Mugabe, Mr.
Mbeki flew to Maputo for a meeting with Mozambican
President Joaquim Chissano.
The three countries plan to encourage industrial and
other development along the Harare-Beira route. Mr.
Mbeki said joint efforts could become more productive
than if countries in Southern Africa worked
individually. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAR/PCF/LTD/RAE
02-Sep-1999 11:42 AM LOC (02-Sep-1999 1542 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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