DATE=1/19/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=S-A-F / CONGO (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258204
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Congo-Kinshasa President Laurent Kabila
has accused South Africa of supporting his
country's enemies - a charge that could
compromise efforts by President Thabo Mbeki's
government to promote peace in the Great Lakes
region of Central Africa. V-O-A Johannesburg
correspondent Alex Belida reports Mr. Mbeki's
government has rejected the criticism.
TEXT: Mr. Kabila tells the Johannesburg "Star"
newspaper that relations between his country and
South Africa are not good because South Africa
has taken sides in the Congolese conflict.
In an interview published Wednesday, Mr. Kabila
contends that South Africa, in his words, "is the
compulsory channel of all the weapons for Rwanda
and Uganda," which are the main backers of the
rebels opposed to his continued rule. He says
South Africa, as he puts it, "has distinguished
itself by its campaign of destabilization."
At the same time, Mr. Kabila complains about
South Africa's regular contacts with rebel
representatives and other opposition Congolese
political figures. He claims these opponents
have what he terms "a sort of base" in South
Africa where Mr. Kabila charges "they go in order
to carry on their machinations and to attack" his
government.
The Congo-Kinshasa leader says this is tantamount
to interference in the internal affairs of his
country. He says "this must come to an end."
/// OPT /// Mr. Kabila's comments coincide with
similar criticism of South Africa's role in the
Congo from the leader of South Africa's
opposition United Democratic Movement party.
Bantu Holomisa charges in an open letter to
President Thabo Mbeki that South African
authorities are harboring rebel leaders from
Congo-Kinshasa. He suggests this is compromising
the country's efforts to promote peace in the
Great Lakes region and could undermine South
Africa's own internal security by exposing it to
what he terms "punitive reprisals." // END OPT //
South African government spokesmen have dismissed
the criticism. Presidential spokesman Parks
Mankahlana denies South Africa wants to worsen
the situation in the Congo. He also says it does
not support anyone who has the intention of
prolonging the conflict there.
However, Mr. Mankahlana defends the government's
contacts with Congolese opposition leaders. He
says South Africa will continue to interact with
anyone seeking a peaceful solution to the war.
/// REST OPTIONAL ///
In his interview with the Johannesburg "Star"
newspaper, Mr. Kabila voices overall
dissatisfaction with the role played by the
international community in the effort to restore
peace in his country. However, he reaffirms his
support for the peace agreement signed last year
in Lusaka, Zambia by his government and its
allies, Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, and by the
rebels and their foreign backers, Rwanda and
Uganda.
Nevertheless, he warns that if the peace process
fails, he is ready to end the conflict by
military means. (Signed)
NEB/BEL/GE/LTD/KL
19-Jan-2000 08:52 AM EDT (19-Jan-2000 1352 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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