DATE=1/24/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-CONGO DEBATE (L-O)
NUMBER=2-258382
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The U-N Security Council has opened a week-
long debate on the situation in Congo-Kinshasa. The
first session featured several African leaders who are
directly involved in the conflict. Correspondent
Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: The session was presided over by Secretary of
State Madeleine Albright who said because of the large
number of countries involved, the conflict in Congo
could be described as - Africa's first world war.
The government of Congo President Laurent Kabila is
facing rebel groups backed by the governments of
Rwanda and Uganda. The governments of Angola, Namibia
and Zimbabwe have sent troops in support of President
Kabila.
All parties to the conflict endorsed a cease-fire
agreement last year in Lusaka, Zambia, but widespread
violations are causing growing concern at the United
Nations.
Zambia's President Frederick Chiluba, who helped bring
about the cease-fire, told the Security Council that
U-N peacekeeping troops are now needed to uphold the
agreement.
/// CHILUBA ACT ///
There is no peacekeeping that does not involve
some degree of risk. We are involved in
peacekeeping because peace is an imperative for
the survival of humankind. It is an imperative
for which we must be prepared to make the
supreme sacrifice. We are not suggesting that
the international community should indulge in a
reckless adventure in the name of peacekeeping,
no. Every loss of life is a tragedy. It is
therefore incumbent on all of us and in
particular the parties to the conflict (in
Congo) that the peacekeepers be given all the
necessary support and protection.
/// END ACT ///
President Chiluba's call for peacekeepers was echoed
by President Kabila of Congo, President Dos Santos of
Angola, President Chissano of Mozambique, President
Bizimungu of Rwanada, and President Mugabe of Zimbabwe
among others.
In a recent report on Congo, U-N Secretary-General
Kofi Annan recommended an initial deployment of five-
thousand troops to protect about 500-unarmed U-N
military observers in Congo. That could set the stage
for a full-scale peacekeeping operation.
The United States, although supporting the concept of
U-N peacekeeping in Congo, wants to go slow in an
effort to make sure that a peacekeeping force will be
effective. During a break in the Security Council
meeting, Secretary of State Albright told reporters
that the American Ambassador to the United Nations
Richard Holbrooke is attempting to get a clear and
comprehensive idea of what a peacekeeping operation in
Congo would involve.
/// ALBRIGHT ACT ///
I think we obviously see the seriousness of the
situation in Congo. What we are trying to do,
Ambassador Holbrooke will undertake this, is to
make sure that whatever mandate is set for any
peacekeeping operation is clear and that there
be a clear budget with a well-defined mandate.
/// END ACT ///
The Security Council's discussion of Congo is part of
a month-long focus on Africa initiated by Mr.
Holbrooke, this month's president of the council.
(SIGNED)
NEB/BA/LSF/RAE
24-Jan-2000 15:11 PM EDT (24-Jan-2000 2011 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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