DATE=09/29/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-267265
TITLE=UN / CONGO (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United Nations' top human rights official, Mary Robinson, will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo (D-R-C) next Monday and Tuesday. Lisa Schlein in Geneva reports Ms. Robinson is expected to explore human rights issues with government and opposition leaders.
TEXT: This is the first time Mary Robinson will visit the Democratic Republic of Congo, and her spokeswoman, Veronique Taveau, says the two-day visit will be very tough and very intense.
/// TAVEAU ACT ///
It is very important for her and it's also a very sensitive voyage (journey) she is making and she knows that. But (what) she really wants to get some answers (to) is the question of human rights violations and human rights issues in D-R-C.
/// END ACT ///
On Monday, Ms. Robinson will meet with President Laurent Kabila and the ministers of justice and human rights. She also will speak with members of private human rights organizations.
In all instances, Ms. Taveau says, the U-N's top human rights official will try to get a better picture of the extent and range of human rights violations in the D-R-C and argue for greater respect for freedom of speech and other human rights.
The U-N spokeswoman says that on the second day Ms. Robinson will go to Goma in the southern province of Kivu, where she will meet with opposition leaders.
/// TAVEAU ACT 2 ///
She will ask them about the situation and what they are planning to do and she will raise as well the question of reconciliation in order for the D-R-C to get back together.
/// END ACT ///
After her visit to the D-R-C, Ms. Robinson will go on to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, where she will attend a two-day meeting that is preparing for next year's world conference against racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia. (Signed)
NEB/LS/KL/JP
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