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DATE=4/12/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N CONGO DISCUSSION (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261245
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
INERNET=YES
INTRO:  The United Nations Security Council meeting in 
closed session today (Wednesday) discussed the latest 
developments in Congo-Kinshasa and reviewed plans for 
the deployment of more than five thousand U-N troops 
there. VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the 
United Nations. 
TEXT:  The Council received a report from U-N 
peacekeeping official Bernard Miyet (Mee-yay) who says 
the renewed agreement by all sides in the Congo 
conflict to observe a cease-fire is encouraging. But 
he warns there are still more obstacles ahead. Mr. 
Miyet says the lack of usable roads and an unreliable 
waterway system in Congo means the planned U-N 
observer force will rely heavily on air 
transportation.
Mr. Miyet told the Council that there is a need for 
specialized military units in Congo including those 
that build and maintain airstrips and handle air 
traffic control. So far, only Pakistan and Senegal 
have provided definite commitments to provide troops 
for the Congo operation but Mr. Miyet will be seeking 
additional contributions. In any case, Mr. Miyet 
estimates it will probably be at least four months 
before the 55-hundred member U-N force can be deployed 
in Congo.
After the discussion, this month's President of the 
Security Council, Robert Fowler of Canada, told 
reporters the Council is planning its own mission to 
review the Congo situation. He says a delegation from 
the Council could get a better understanding of 
whether the cease-fire deal, agreed to by all sides in 
Lusaka, Zambia, last year, is still viable.
            ///Fowler act///
      Council members have agreed to dispatch an early 
      Security Council mission to the region to 
      discuss with all signatories to the Lusaka 
      agreement concrete ways to ensure their support 
      and their full commitment to early and full 
      implementation of the agreement.
            ///end act///
Mr. Fowler says no date has been set for the Council 
visit but diplomats say it will probably come next 
month.
The crisis in Congo has been a major focus of the 
Security Council for more than a year. Although there 
is consensus that the United Nations should send 
military observers - and eventually a full-scale 
peacekeeping force - to Congo, most Council members 
are also adamant that all sides in the conflict must 
first observe the cease-fire agreement.(Signed)  
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/PT
12-Apr-2000 17:44 PM EDT (12-Apr-2000 2144 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.