SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED AT REPORTS OF CONTINUED FIGHTING

IN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The following statement was issued by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General Kofi Annan in New York on Saturday, 16 March:

The Secretary-General is extremely concerned at the reports that the strategic town of Moliro, in the south-eastern corner of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been captured by elements of the Rassemblement Congolais pour la democratie – Goma (RCD-Goma).  The United Nations deplores this development, which took place after repeated appeals by the Security Council to cease all fighting in the area. 

The Secretary-General has instructed the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC) to assist in the immediate disengagement and withdrawal of all military forces from this town and other contested locations in the south-east.  Accordingly, MONUC will be prepared to deploy its military observers in those locations, subject to security guarantees. 

The Secretary-General also appeals to the Congolese parties to immediately resume the inter-Congolese dialogue.

* *** *