SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES PARTIES TO CONFLICT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO TO SHOW STATESMANSHIP NEEDED TO REACH COMPROMISE FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE
Press Release
SG/SM/6773
AFR/110
SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES PARTIES TO CONFLICT IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO TO SHOW STATESMANSHIP NEEDED TO REACH COMPROMISE FOR IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE
19981026 The following statement on the Lusaka meeting on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:The Secretary-General attaches the greatest importance to the meeting of Foreign and Defence Ministers which opened today in Lusaka to discuss a ceasefire and a withdrawal of foreign troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is heartened by the continuation of efforts by African leaders and regional organizations to bring about a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He wishes, in particular, to reiterate his full support for the crucial role played by the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in the discussions leading to the Lusaka meeting. Secretary-General urges the parties to the conflict to show the maturity, will and statesmanship needed to reach a compromise for an immediate ceasefire and an early withdrawal of troops. The Lusaka meeting gives them a unique opportunity to demonstrate to the world their concern for the well-being of the Congolese people and their commitment to the restoration of peace. Secretary-General calls yet again on all those in a position of authority in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to put an end to incitements to ethnic violence and to hate propaganda, and to state publicly their condemnation of such incitements. He recalls that on 22 October the President of the Security Council reaffirmed to the press that ending the cycle of human rights violations and the culture of impunity is a necessary element for any lasting settlement of the crisis in the region. The Secretary-General is represented in Lusaka by Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Ibrahima Fall, whose delegation includes his Representative for the Great Lakes Region and Regional Humanitarian Adviser Berhanu Dinka, and two military advisers. The latter are to advise on the technical aspects of a ceasefire and withdrawal of troops, as they did at the 10-12 September meeting in Addis Ababa.
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