DATE=12/21/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGO REBELS (L-O)
NUMBER=2-257357
BYLINE=TODD PITMAN
DATELINE=KIGALI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Three rival rebel factions in Congo-Kinshasa
are wrapping talks in southern Uganda. As Todd Pitman
reports from the Rwandan capital, Kigali, the rebels
are trying to form a common front in their struggle
against the government.
TEXT: The vice-president of a Rwandan-backed faction
of the Congolese Rally for Democracy, Moise Nyarugabo,
says all three rebel groups agreed to coordinate their
fight against President Laurent Kabila.
But rebel officials say the three groups, who met for
the fifth day Tuesday in a southern Ugandan town,
Kabale, fell far short of agreeing to merge into a
single movement.
Mr. Nyarugabo says each of the three groups will
retain its independence, but the rebels will form a
committee charged with plotting common military and
political strategies. The committee will be made up
of representatives from each faction.
The rebels took up arms against President Kabila in
August 1998. But personal rivalries and differences
between allies Rwanda and Uganda have deeply divided
rebel ranks, slowing the rebels' long advance on the
capital, Kinshasa, and splitting the main rebel R-C-D.
Rebel officials say a key aim of the Kabale meeting is
to harmonize views on a peace accord signed last
August by the government, the rebels, and their
respective allies.
Bitter differences between the rebels delayed the
signing of the accord, which called for a cease-fire,
the withdrawal of foreign forces, and a national
debate on Congo's future.
Despite the accord, fighting has reportedly continued,
with Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola backing the
government, and Rwanda and Uganda supporting various
rebel groups. (SIGNED)
NEB/TP/JWH/LTD/RAE
21-Dec-1999 08:55 AM EDT (21-Dec-1999 1355 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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