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DATE=11/5/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-CONGO MANDATE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-255864
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations Security Council today 
(Friday) extended the mandate for a liaison group in 
Congo-Kinshasa but postponed a decision on sending a 
500-member military observer group there. VOA 
Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United 
Nations.
TEXT: In a unanimous vote, the Security Council 
extended, through January 15th, the presence in Congo 
and in neighboring countries of several dozen U-N 
military liaison officers. The liaison personnel are 
assessing conditions for the possible deployment of a 
500-member military observer team. That could be 
followed by deployment of a full-fledged U-N 
peacekeeping force.
A cease-fire agreement has been in effect since last 
July involving the government of Congolese President 
Laurent Kabila, rebel groups and the governments which 
support the rebels. However, widespread violations of 
the cease-fire have occurred.
Roberto Garreton, the U-N human rights investigator in 
Congo, told reporters some factions in the conflict do 
not really want the cease-fire and are finding excuses 
to break it. Mr. Garreton says the human rights 
situation is bad in the government-controlled western 
part of Congo and even worse in some rebel-held areas 
in the east.
Speaking through an English interpreter, Mr. Garreton 
says the situation in Congo is still potentially 
explosive and should be a matter of serious concern 
for the international community.
            /// Garreron-Interpreter act///
      I want to tell you that there are 18 different 
      armed groups in Congo at present. Five invited 
      allies are present along with three non-invited 
      countries. Imagine what this means. It is a 
      tremendously tense situation and it can blow up 
      at any moment. The risk of this conflict 
      extending itself to other countries is becoming 
      far more serious.
            ///end act///
Mr. Garreton believes the United Nations has a moral 
obligation to send peacekeeping troops to Congo.  
(Signed) 
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/ENE/PT 
05-Nov-1999 16:27 PM EDT (05-Nov-1999 2127 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.