DATE=2/23/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N-CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-259500
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A United Nations relief official said today
(Wednesday) that there has been a sharp improvement in
living conditions in war-torn parts of Congo-
Brazzaville, but that more resources are needed for
humanitarian efforts there. V-O-A Correspondent Breck
Ardery reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Just a few months ago, access to internally
displaced people in Congo-Brazzaville was a major
problem for humanitarian aid workers. U-N Relief
Coordinator Bill Paton (Pay-ton) says ongoing fighting
among government troops and a variety of rebel forces
prevented aid from reaching an estimated 800-thousand
people in the southern interior section of the
country.
But in late December, a cease-fire was agreed to and
Mr. Paton says it is working. Fighting is almost non-
existent, he says, and a process of demobilization and
disarmament is underway.
/// PATON ACT ///
There has been a very positive and remarkably
rapid evolution. I have never seen access open
up in an African post-crisis situation so
quickly. People are demobilizing and offensive
actions in battles really have ceased.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Paton says the situation presents a great
opportunity for humanitarian aid to form a building
block for lasting peace in Congo-Brazzaville.
However, he told reporters that although access to the
population is now possible, relief groups must have
the resources to provide basics, such as food and
medicine, and he appealed to donor nations to increase
their aid.
Mr. Paton says the fighting in neighboring Congo-
Kinshasa has had no major effect in Congo-Brazzaville.
However, the U-N High Commissioner for Refugees
recently reported that as many as 15-thousand refugees
from Congo-Kinshasa did flee into Congo-Brazzaville.
(Signed)
NEB/BA/LSF/TVM/JP
23-Feb-2000 17:16 PM EDT (23-Feb-2000 2216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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