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27 March 2000

Text: U.S. Condemns Military Offensives in DROC

(Warns they may hinder or obstruct U.N. peace efforts) (380)
The United States "condemns" the reported military offensives launched
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC) by the RCD-Goma rebel
group and Rwandan forces, and in the Katanga province by Congolese
government troops, and calls on these parties to "halt these
operations immediately."
A written statement released March 24 by State Department Spokesman
James Rubin said that if these operations are not halted, "the U.S.
believes it will be impossible to deploy U.N. (MONUC) Phase II
peacekeepers."
Following is the text of Rubin's statement:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
March 24, 2000
STATEMENT BY JAMES P. RUBIN, SPOKESMAN
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO : U.S. CONDEMNS CEASE-FIRE VIOLATIONS
The United States is extremely concerned over the continuing reports
of intense fighting in violation of the cease-fire in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo. We condemn all parties that conduct military
operations, rearm their forces, or redeploy their troops in violation
of the Lusaka Agreement. We hold accountable all parties that violate
the Lusaka Agreement and undo or hinder the fragile peace process. In
this regard, we condemn the reported military offensives launched in
the Kasai provinces by the rebel group RCD-Goma and the Rwandan
forces, and in the Katanga province by Congolese Government troops. We
call on these parties to halt these operations immediately. If they do
not, the U.S. believes it will be impossible to deploy U.N. (MONUC)
Phase II peacekeepers.
The United States reiterates its support for the Lusaka Agreement. We
fully support the efforts of the U.N. Secretary-General's Special
Representative, Kamel Morjane, the Joint Military Commission, the U.N.
peacekeeping mission (MONUC), and the work of Sir Ketumile Masire,
facilitator of the National Dialogue. There is no valid excuse for any
party to obstruct or hinder these individuals and organizations as
they seek to do their work to further the peace process. We call upon
all parties to abide by the terms of the Lusaka Agreement and support
the work of the institutions mandated by the Agreement.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: usinfo.state.gov)