16 August 2000
Text: State Dept. Spokesman Reeker's Statement on Lusaka Summit
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 16, 2000
STATEMENT BY PHILIP T. REEKER, DEPUTY SPOKESMAN
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AUGUST 14 LUSAKA SUMMIT
The United States regrets that the August 14 summit of Lusaka
signatories and members of the Southern African Development Community
did not produce an agreement on specific next steps in the Lusaka
process. Nonetheless, we are encouraged by the consensus reached by
the external signatories and rebel groups on several key issues. This
consensus included the restoration of the Kampala cease-fire,
implementation of the Kampala disengagement plan, the provision of the
necessary security and access guarantees for UN military observers,
and support for the inter-Congolese national dialogue undertaken under
the facilitation of former Botswana President Masire.
The United States continues to believe the Lusaka Agreement represents
the most viable means of achieving a just and stable peace for the
peoples of Congo and the Great Lakes Region. Except the Congolese
Government, all parties to the conflict have affirmed their collective
desire to put in place the conditions for the full implementation of
the Lusaka Agreement, including creating the conditions necessary for
the second phase deployment of a UN peacekeeping operation. We hope
the Kinshasa Government will reconsider its refusal to honor the
agreement it has signed and will join with the other parties in
working towards the peaceful resolution of the Congolese conflict.
(end text)
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