DATE=12/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-CONGO DEBATE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257232
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: U-N Security Council members have agreed on
the need for a United Nations-sponsored peacekeeping
mission in Congo-Kinshasa. V-O-A Correspondent Breck
Ardery reports the Council members debated when and
under what circumstances the mission should be
deployed.
TEXT: The Council first heard a report from Bernard
Niyet (Nee-`aay), Undersecretary-General for U-N
peacekeeping operations. He warned that the security
situation in Congo has deteriorated with a number of
cease-fire violations. Mr. Niyet said a small group of
U-N liaison officers now in Congo has not been able to
complete its technical survey of the country.
The conflict in Congo has multiple actors, including
the government of President Laurent Kabila, three
rebel groups, and five African nations that support
either President Kabila or the rebels. Since all sides
signed a cease-fire agreement last July in Lusaka,
Zambia, there has been mounting pressure for the
deployment of a full-scale U-N peacekeeping force in
Congo.
In the Security Council debate, some African nations
argued it is wrong to wait for security guarantees
before sending a peacekeeping force. Speaking with the
aid of an English translator, Ambassador Denis Dangue
Rewaka of Gabon said such guarantees have not been
demanded in other U-N peacekeeping operations.
/// REWAKA TRANSLATOR ACT ///
Africa can no longer satisfy itself with words
emerging from the Security Council. It expects
real and immediate action in this situation, the
situation in the D-R-C (Democratic Republic of
Congo). People have waited too long since last
July's signing of the Lusaka agreement. The
Security Council must now shoulder its
responsibilities.
/// END ACT ///
But other members of the Council, including the United
States, want to make sure there are adequate security
arrangements before a multinational force is sent to
Congo. American ambassador Richard Holbrooke responded
to criticism that the United States is dragging its
feet on Congo.
/// HOLBROOKE ACT ///
We are dragging our feet right now, but not
because we are opposed to peacekeeping in Congo.
We are dragging our feet because we want a
peacekeeping operation and we want to get it
right. We can not afford an operation that is
not right.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Holbrooke said the size, cost and mandate of a U-N
peacekeeping force in Congo should be well planned
before any resolution authorizing it is passed. The
American ambassador said formulating a response to the
situation in Congo will be a major priority for the
Security Council next month when the United States
takes over the Presidency of the Council.(Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/gm
16-Dec-1999 16:53 PM EDT (16-Dec-1999 2153 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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