Military

DATE=07/25/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SAF / MBEKI (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-292429

BYLINE=CHALLISS MCDONOUGH

DATELINE=JOHANNESBURG

CONTENT=

///Eds: Updates CR#2-292420 to reflect that the DRC and Rwanda will sign a pact to end four years of war in Pretoria next week. Edits Intro; removes graf that begins "Mr. Mbeki says it is still not clear when the two presidents will actually sign the deal"; edits Mbeki Act 2. AUDIO NEEDS TO CONFORM WITH TEXT///

INTRO: South African President Thabo Mbeki says a new peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo could be signed in Pretoria next week. V-O-A Correspondent Challiss McDonough reports from Johannesburg.

TEXT: Mr. Mbeki told reporters Congolese President Joseph Kabila and Rwandan President Paul Kagame are both planning to sign the peace deal reached by their emissaries in Pretoria earlier this week.

/// MBEKI ACT 1 ///

Both President Kagame and President Kabila have urged that the agreement which they reached should be signed by themselves as quickly as possible.

/// END ACT ///

The South African president said the two sides are discussing the date with U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan and with leaders of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community.

/// MBEKI ACT 2 ///

We are in the process of discussing with them the date of the signing of the agreement. And President Kagame is very keen indeed that the agreement should be signed and implemented.

/// END ACT ///

Details of the deal itself are still vague. But the man who chaired the peace talks, South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma, has said it includes both the withdrawal of the estimated 20-thousand Rwandan troops from Congo, and the rounding up of the Interahamwe militia that took part in Rwanda's 1994 genocide and continues to operate out of eastern Congo.

Mr. Zuma said the deal restores the sovereignty and integrity of the D-R-C while also achieving security for Rwanda. (Signed)

NEB/CEM/JWH/KBK