DATE=1/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SAF/CONGO (L O)
NUMBER=2-258339
BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA
DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: South Africa is calling for the U-N Security
Council to move quickly to deploy peacekeeping forces
in Congo-Kinshasa. Johannesburg Correspondent Alex
Belida reports the call comes as the leaders of key
countries involved in the Congo crisis prepare to
discuss the faltering peace process.
TEXT: A South African government statement voices
serious concern over what is described as the lack of
progress in implementing last year's Congolese
ceasefire agreement. It says talks among all the
parties involved in the conflict are essential to
ensure compliance with the terms of the accord, signed
in Lusaka, Zambia.
The statement -- issued by South Africa's Department
of Foreign Affairs -- urges the Security Council to
deploy peacekeepers urgently. It also calls on the
United Nations to provide other logistical support for
the implementation of the Lusaka agreement.
The statement comes on the eve of what are seen as
crucial Security Council deliberations on the
Congolese conflict. Several Central African leaders,
including Congo-Kinshasa President Laurent Kabila,
have flown to New York to attend.
Last week, Mr. Kabila was quoted in a newspaper
interview as accusing South African authorities of
supporting his government's enemies in the war. He
specifically charged South Africa was channeling
weapons to Rwanda and Uganda, accused of supporting
rebels opposed to his continued rule.
But in its statement, released Sunday, South Africa
rejects the allegations. It says South African
weapons sales to all parties in the Congolese conflict
have been suspended.
The statement also rejects Mr. Kabila's complaints
about South African government contacts with his
political opponents. It says South Africa will
continue to hold discussions with all groups in order
to ensure that the Lusaka ceasefire agreement is
speedily implemented.
The statement says that since the outbreak of the
civil war in 1998, South Africa has - in its words -
"consistently and tirelessly" promoted an agreement
for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of all foreign
troops on Congolese soil.
Besides the involvement of Rwanda and Uganda on the
rebel side in the war, Mr. Kabila has received
military backing from Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Analysts have repeatedly voiced fear that if left
unchecked, the conflict could spread throughout
Central Africa because of the participation of outside
forces. U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan has
recommended the deployment of more than five-thousand
peacekeepers to police the peace deal. (SIGNED)
NEB/BEL/DW/RAE
23-Jan-2000 08:25 AM EDT (23-Jan-2000 1325 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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