DATE=4/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N CONGO OPTIMISM (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-261720
BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A top United Nations official today (Tuesday)
repeatedly used the words "prudent optimism" to
describe his feelings about the current situation in
Congo-Kinshasa. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery
reports from the United Nations.
TEXT: Kamel Morjane (Ka-`mell Mor-`zhahn), the special
representative in Congo for U-N Secretary-General Kofi
Annan, told reporters the recent disengagement
agreement in Congo seems to be working. Earlier this
month, all sides in the Congo conflict agreed to a
military disengagement plan and total cease-fire.
Mr. Morjane says there have now been 10 consecutive
days with no fighting in Congo and that in itself is
significant. He says that, although things could
change at any moment, there is now reason for what he
called "prudent optimism."
Mr. Morjane says there is no reason that preparations
for a U-N military observer mission to Congo should
not proceed quickly.
/// MORJANE ACT ///
I am saying that the situation (in Congo) today
is certainly the best I have ever witnessed
since I have been there. The preparations for
the deployment are going on and certainly what
we need is to ensure that the United Nations is
taking all measures to reach this (deployment).
/// END ACT ///
The U-N Security Council has authorized 500 military
observers for Congo, backed up by five thousand
support troops.
Mr. Morjane acknowledges impatience on the part of
some African leaders for a greater U-N commitment in
Congo. However, he says the United Nations is moving
in deliberate phases which, he hopes, will culminate
with a full-scale U-N peacekeeping force, the
disarmament of combatants and the departure of foreign
troops.
Mr. Morjane, who is in New York for consultations with
the U-N Security Council, believes a planned Council
mission to Congo will be helpful by demonstrating
international concern. That mission to Congo, which
will be led by U-S Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, is
scheduled to leave next week. (Signed)
NEB/UN/BA/LSF/ENE
25-Apr-2000 16:50 PM EDT (25-Apr-2000 2050 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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