DATE=8/25/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGO / UN (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-265849
BYLINE=SCOTT STEARNS
DATELINE=NAIROBI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The government in Congo-Kinshasa says United
Nations peacekeepers may now move more freely
throughout the country. V-O-A's Scott Stearns reports
the decision makes it possible for U-N troops to
operate in areas controlled both by the government
army and by rebels.
TEXT: After months of delay, President Laurent
Kabila's government finally allowed members of the U-N
observer force to deploy in areas under its control.
Previously, the Congo-Kinshasa government said it
would allow U-N troops only in rebel-held areas.
The move opens the way for the eventual deployment of
four battalions of U-N peacekeepers, including more
than three-thousand infantrymen. The United Nations
agreed to send more than five-thousand troops to Congo
as part of an effort to end the war between President
Kabila's government and rebels in the east. Zimbabwe,
Angola and Namibia are backing President Kabila.
Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi are helping the rebels.
So far, the United Nations has only about 200
observers in Congo and neighboring countries. All
parties to the conflict are calling for a swifter
deployment of a larger force to help stop the
fighting.
But just because it is now possible to send more
troops does not mean the United Nations will do so
quickly. The secretary general's special envoy to
Congo, former Nigerian military ruler Abdusalami
Abubakar, is on a tour of the region. He is looking
for assurances from all sides that they will respect a
cease-fire once U-N troops are in.
A cease-fire agreement was reached last July in the
Zambian capital, Lusaka, that did slow the fighting,
but it has not brought about an end to the combat.
Given this year's capture of U-N peacekeepers in
Sierra Leone, U-N officials are cautious about what
conditions they are sending troops into in Congo.
/// OPT /// President Kabila's decision to allow U-N
troops in his areas also ends flight restrictions on
U-N aircraft. Up to now, peacekeepers have needed
prior authorization for all flights. They could not
fly directly from rebel-held areas to government-held
areas unless they first stopped at a "neutral" airport
outside Congo. Those restrictions no longer apply.
Peacekeepers have also been given the go ahead to
bring in a unit of armed Tunisian guards to support U-
N observer headquarters in the capital, Kinshasa. ///
END OPT ///
While regional diplomats generally welcomed President
Kabila's move, there is concern about comments by his
human rights minister suspending the broader Lusaka
peace accord. The minister said circumstances have
changed since the deal was signed last year. Congo
now wants direct talks with rebel-backers Rwanda,
Uganda, and Burundi.
That is considered not likely as most African and
foreign powers involved in the process still see the
Lusaka accord as the only way to end the war. That
deal has U-N peacekeepers taking up positions that
allow foreign troops to withdraw ahead of a new
transitional government for Congo. (Signed)
NEB/SKS/JWH/JP
25-Aug-2000 09:16 AM LOC (25-Aug-2000 1316 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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