DATE=7/6/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=U-N / CONGO BRAZAVILLE (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-264141
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations says the international
community has an excellent opportunity to help Congo-
Brazzaville make good on its hard-won peace and
restore security and stability in the country. Lisa
Schlein reports a delegation of Congolese government
and opposition leaders is presenting a plan for
rehabilitating their war-torn country to the United
Nations and international agencies.
TEXT: Government and rebel forces in Congo-
Brazzaville ended their war in January. Since then,
the United Nations reports the situation has improved
drastically, following three civil wars within six-
years.
It notes most of the 800-thousand internally displaced
and refugees who fled the fighting have returned to
their homes. It says malnutrition and death rates
have been significantly reduced among the country's
two-point-nine-million people.
William Paton is U-N Resident Coordinator in Congo-
Brazzaville. He says the peace is solid, and he says
the government has a well thought out plan for re-
establishing a fully functioning state.
/// PATON ACT ///
I think it is up to us to support this process
now. And, one of the things that disappoints me
greatly, in fact, is that when we get such a
rare opportunity in Africa and in the Great
Lakes region, frankly where all the countries
are at war, all of our neighbors virtually are
at war, we have one, yes little, country, maybe
not the world's most important country, but a
country that is having a great opportunity for
peace in Africa. And, I am afraid up until now
our support for it has been grossly inadequate.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Paton says last year Congo Brazzaville received
the least assistance of any country undergoing a
humanitarian crisis. Last year's appeal for 17-
million dollars attracted less than two-million
dollars. The Congolese government figures it will
need 28-million dollars to carry out its program of
economic and social rehabilitation.
Mr. Paton says one of the primary concerns is to find
jobs for thousands of young former combatants who have
known nothing but war. He says re-integrating these
young people into civil society is very important for
maintaining a durable peace.
Mr. Paton also says providing good nutrition is a
priority.
/// 2ND PATON ACT ///
We still need to do some targeted food
distribution for certain groups. Food security.
Seeds and tools are critically important. We
need to get this new planting season, in
September, (which is) the main planting season
of the year. The timing is good as people will
have all returned and got themselves settled in
and then, bingo, September comes along. So, we
are desperate to make sure we have enough
support for seeds and tools. Time is running
out.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Paton says the United Nations has some money to
spend on this program, but not enough. He says it
will be a shame if people can not get the seeds and
tools they need to plant and grow their own food.
(SIGNED)
NEB/LS/GE/RAE
06-Jul-2000 12:05 PM EDT (06-Jul-2000 1605 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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