U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release August 29, 2000 2000/933 Statement by Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: WAR CRIMES INVESTIGATION Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues David Scheffer led a U.S. government team on an August 24-27 trip to Kisangani and Eastern Congo to investigate allegations of crimes against humanity and war crimes. Ambassador Scheffer's meetings with a wide range of local and international organizations, civil society, and individual victims pointed to violations of international humanitarian law by non-state actors supplied by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congolese rebel armies, and armies of the Rwandan and Ugandan governments. Ambassador Scheffer found a widespread and growing pattern of violence and destruction against the civilian population of the Kivus, perpetrated by all forces operating in that troubled region. In coming months, the United States will intensify its own collection of information about atrocities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and examine effective ways to achieve credible justice for victims of the wanton terror there. Peace and security will not be achieved without simultaneously taking concrete steps to end the culture of impunity that breeds atrocities. ###
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