SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGES CONTINUATION OF TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

SECRETARY-GENERAL ENCOURAGES CONTINUATION OF TROOP WITHDRAWAL

FROM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has encouraged President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda to continue the ongoing withdrawal of their respective troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, while assuring both leaders of the United Nations' commitment to rapid deployment of military observers.

In telephone discussions between the Secretary-General and the two leaders, they reaffirmed to him their determination to effectively pursue the Democratic Republic of the Congo peace process -- provided the Government of Joseph Kabila also lived up to its undertakings.

They also pledged their mutual cooperation in the quest to restore peace and stability in the entire Great Lakes region and stated that any bilateral differences would be resolved through peaceful negotiations.

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