SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES 20 AUGUST MEETING IN BOTSWANA WILL PAVE WAY FOR INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE

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SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES 20 AUGUST MEETING IN BOTSWANA WILL PAVE WAY

FOR INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Office of the Spokesman of Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is encouraged by the substantial progress that has been made by the Congolese parties in organizing the preparatory meeting for the Inter-Congolese dialogue, with the facilitation and strong support of Sir Ketumile Masire and his team.  He hopes that the preparatory meeting, which is scheduled to begin on 20 August in Gaborone, Botswana, will successfully pave the way for the actual Inter-Congolese dialogue. 

The Secretary-General wishes to take this opportunity to express his full support for the appeals of the Facilitator to the Congolese parties that women should be more fully represented in their delegations to the preparatory meeting as well as the Dialogue, and that gender issues should be included in its agenda. 

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