DATE=2/24/2000
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
TITLE=CONGO FORCE
NUMBER=5-45508
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
CONTENT:
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The U-N Security Council is preparing to vote
on sending more than five-thousand troops to monitor a
cease-fire in Congo-Kinshasa. Correspondent Scott
Stearns looks at the challenges the force will face.
TEXT: It is a job as dangerous and complicated as
Congo's civil war. U-N troops will be expected to
disarm fighters, investigate cease-fire violations,
secure the release of prisoners, and help deliver
humanitarian aid.
More than three-thousand troops in reinforced infantry
battalions will join two marine units and medical,
communications and logistic personnel. They will be
stationed at four bases in eastern, central, and
southern Congo in support of 500-unarmed monitors.
But this is not a peacekeeping force. It will not
come between fighters or evacuate U-N staff under
fire. Instead, these soldiers must come up with a way
to implement a cease-fire agreement that has been
violated since it began more than seven months ago.
All with little political goodwill among the
combatants in a huge country in the heart of Africa
with poor roads, at least six foreign armies, three
rebel groups, and various armed militia. Everyone
seems to want something different from a U-N force
that has already being criticized as too small.
President Laurent Kabila wants greater attention on
human rights violations in areas of eastern Congo
controlled by rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda.
Rwanda wants the United Nations to disarm extremist
militiamen responsible for Rwanda's 1994 genocide.
They are now fighting in support of President Kabila.
It is often difficult to tell who is who in this
conflict. Even if some foreign troops do pull back,
U-N monitors cannot be sure none remain. Many men on
both sides of this war wear many uniforms.
Regardless of the success or failure of the cease-
fire, foreign powers will continue to exercise
considerable influence in Congo-Kinshasa. President
Kabila's efforts to defend mineral riches in the south
depend on Zimbabwe and Angola. Rwanda and Uganda say
they are in this war to protect their own security and
will not withdraw until they are satisfied that
militiamen are no longer able to use Congo to launch
cross-border raids.
Regional diplomats say the primary threat to U-N
troops is not in being targeted for attack. The
bigger risk is getting caught up in the crossfire,
traveling with monitors in rebel-held areas, for
example, and being ambushed by local militiamen.
There also is the risk of getting caught up in a
conflict with no end. Political discussions on a
transitional government have gotten nowhere with
President Kabila planning parliamentary elections in a
divided country.
U-N monitors might be able to slow the fighting that
has gone on during this cease-fire, but they will be
in no position to salvage the accord if political
talks collapse. (SIGNED)
NEB/SKS/JWH/RAE
24-Feb-2000 08:26 AM EDT (24-Feb-2000 1326 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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