Burundi: En bref ce 31 MAI 2006 ...

Le Président du Sénat visite la maison SHALOM

31 mai 2006 . http://www.senat.bi

-Sous l’invitation de la Représentante de la maison SHALOM, Mme Marguerite Barankitse et de sa propre volonté , le Président du Sénat, Hon. Gervais Rufyikiri a effectué une visite de travail à la maison SHALOM de Ruyigi, lundi le 29 mai 2006.

Dans ses activités quotidiennes, la maison SHALOM concilie l’urgence et le développement, et ainsi la planification de ses activités à grande échelle lui a permis d’atteindre un nombre important de bénéficiaires. C’est un centre qui est très complexe qui met l’accent particulier sur l’éducation.

Les principales préoccupations de la maison SHALOM sont la prise en charge intermédiaire des bébés, orphelins et autres enfants vulnérables, l’assistance des bébés dans les communautés, le support direct aux familles tutrices, l’encadrement des enfants chefs de ménages, la protection des biens des enfants, la prise en charge des personnes vivant avec le VIH/SIDA et des malades du SIDA.

Les autres préoccupations incluent l’ appui psychosocial, la prévention de la séparation des enfants de leurs parents, la formation en métiers des jeunes scolarisés et non scolarisés, la réintégration des enfants soldats démobilisés, des jeunes déplacés et rapatriés ainsi que les activités génératrices de revenus.

La maison SHALOM s’occupe aussi de l’embaumement des morts à l’hôpital de Ruyigi.

Remerciant la coordinatrice de la maison SHALOM à travers son allocution, l’Hon. Rufyikiri a encouragé Mme Marguerite à propos de ses réalisations.

« Le gouvernement du Burundi va soutenir la maison SHAMOM si les moyens le permettent car celle-ci a une grande contribution dans le processus de paix et de réconciliation du peuple burundais, » a indiqué le Président du Sénat.

En outre, dans l’après-midi de la même journée, l’Hon. Rufyikiri a tenu une réunion à l’intention des chefs de collines de la commune Taba en province Gitega en vu de se rendre compte de la situation générale qui prévaut dans cette localité.

Briefant le Président du Sénat au sujet de la situation de cette localité, l’administrateur de cette commune a dit que la sécurité est relativement bonne et que les recettes augmentent de plus en plus.

Par ailleurs, il a indiqué qu’il y a une insuffisance des infrastructures scolaires et des locaux abritant les fonctionnaires de cette commune.

Notons que plusieurs questions ont été posées au cours de cette réunion et répondues convenablement. De plus, les participants ont exprimé leur satisfaction vis-à-vis des réalisations du parlement, et l’invitent à redoubler d’efforts car il reste beaucoup de choses à faire.

Les combattants du Palipehutu-Fnl larguent des bombes sur la ville de Bujumbura
ITEKA - NK.E
Dans la nuit du 30 Mai 2006, vers 20heures, des explosions de bombes et de tirs nourris ont été entendus dans la capitale Bujumbura. Cinq bombes ont été larguées sur les quartiers de Gihosha et de Mutanga Nord. Ces explosions ont entraîné des dégâts matériels importants : des toits de maisons ont été endommagés et des pare-brise de voitures cassées. Une personne a été légèrement blessée dans le quartier Gihosha, dans une parcelle située tout près de la résidence de la deuxième vice présidente de la République, Mme Alice Nzomukunda.

Le porte parole de l’Armée, le Major Adolphe Manirakiza a affirmé ce mercredi 31 mai 2006 dans les média que les auteurs de cette attaque sont des éléments combattants du Palipehutu-Fnl. L’attaque est intervenue au moment où ce mouvement est en pourparlers avec le gouvernement du Burundi à Dar-es-Salaam en Tanzanie depuis lundi le 29 Mai 2006.

Le porte parole de l’Armée interprète cet acte de terrorisme comme une soi-disante démonstration de force. Il regrette cependant que cette démonstration s’opère sur des populations civiles sans défense. Il aurait fallu, selon lui, que les combattants de ce mouvement démontrent leur force sur des positions militaires de la force de défense nationale.

Les rebelles du Palipehutu-Fnl qui ont largué des bombes sur la capitale ont été repérés dans une vallée entre deux montagnes surplombant la ville, sur une localité connue sous l’appellation de Gicaca.

La riposte très musclée des militaires a pu stopper les malfaiteurs qui ont rapidement renoncé à cet acte ignoble.

Burundi army says rebels shell capital during talks
31 May 2006 Source: Reuters
By Patrick Nduwimana

BUJUMBURA, May 31 (Reuters) - Burundi's remaining rebel group fired mortar shells from the hills surrounding the capital Bujumbura, injuring one person and damaging houses on Tuesday, one day after they joined peace talks with the government in neighbouring Tanzania, the Burundi army said.

"Last night the Forces for National Liberation (FNL) rebels shelled five mortar bombs on Mutanga and Gihosha suburbs," army spokesman Major Adolphe Manirakiza said on Wednesday.

The FNL's leader, Agathon Rwasa, who has been with his top deputies in Dar es Salaam for nearly three months, said he could not confirm who carried out the attack because he had not communicated with his fighters in Burundi.

But he said that if his group was responsible, it would probably be because they were responding to attacks from the government, which had continued to attack the FNL.

"In a situation like that, we must protect ourselves," he told Reuters by telephone from Dar es Salaam. "I take it as something normal because if we are attacked we will not just sit on our hands."

Manirakiza said the rebel attack was aimed at putting pressure on the government at the peace talks.

The long-delayed talks started in Tanzania on Monday with calls for the rebels to agree to join President Pierre Nkurunziza's government.

"They want to show the international community that they are strong. But we consider this as a way of seeking publicity," Manirakiza said.

Burundi, backed by African governments and the international community, has said the FNL must follow the country's U.N.- backed peace plan to end 12 years of conflict that has killed 300,000 people in ethnic fighting.

Witnesses said one mortar round had damaged the residence of Burundi's second vice president, Alice Nzomukunda.

"One shell hit my house, fortunately there were no casualties," said Steve Nzigamasabo, a resident of the capital's Gihosha district.

"But the residence of my neighbour, who is the second vice president, was damaged after another shell hit the fence of her house."

'Rebels shell' Burundi's capital
Wednesday, 31 May 2006 http://news.bbc.co.uk

Fighting between the government and FNL resumed in May 2005
Burundi's army says the last active rebel group has fired mortar bombs into the capital as peace talks that began on Monday continue in Tanzania.
The army said at least one civilian had been wounded in the attack on Bujumbura that happened late on Tuesday night.

The Hutu National Liberation Forces (FNL) are still outside a power-sharing agreement to end a 13-year civil war.

FNL leader Agathon Rwasa said he had no knowledge of the attack but his troops had the right to defend themselves.

Burundi has long been dominated by its Tutsi minority but now has a Hutu leader - ex-rebel Pierre Nkurunziza, elected last year.

Fighting between the government and FNL resumed in May 2005, only one week after the two sides signed a ceasefire.

South African Security Minister Charles Ngqakula is mediating at the talks in Dar es Salaam.

The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in Burundi says the FNL have imposed different conditions from the other rebel groups, maintaining that the problem in Burundi is between Hutus and Tutsis and demanding direct negotiations with Tutsi army or civilian leaders.

The current round of talks had been delayed by a disagreement over who would broker the talks, but both sides have now agreed to Mr Nqakula's mediation.

Some 300,000 people were killed in the civil war, which was sparked in 1993 by the assassination of Burundi's first Hutu head of state and democratically elected president, Melchior Ndadaye.

ONUB welcomes onset of negotiations between the Government of Burundi and PALIPEHUTU-FNL

ONUB/PIO/PR/127/2006 Source: United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB) Date: 31 May 2006
Bujumbura, Burundi – The Government of Burundi and Agathon Rwasa’s Party for the Liberation of the Hutu People-National Liberation Forces, known by its French acronym PALIPEHUTU-FNL, have begun talks in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, under the auspices of the South African Facilitator, Mr. Charles Nqakula.

A delegation of the United Nations Operation in Burundi (ONUB), led by Ambassador Nureldin Satti, Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Burundi, was present at the opening of negotiations.

ONUB welcomes the step taken by the two parties and encourages them to continue down this path, which, through the good will of all the stakeholders, will lead to an agreement ending the conflict, thereby enabling the people of Burundi to fully enjoy the gains of the hard-won peace. ONUB, on its part, will continue to support the negotiations to the extent of its mandate.

Bush promises US would fulfil financial commitments to Rwanda
May 31, 2006, dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Washington - US President George W. Bush said Wednesday the US would live up to its commitment to help Rwanda fund its peacekeeping operation in Sudan.

Bush and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame discussed the issue and the situation in Sudan's Darfur region at a White House meeting Wednesday.

Bush thanked Kagame for committing troops to the African Union mission to deal with the genocide in Sudan and the two leaders strategized how to proceed on the issue, the US president said following their meeting.

'We will honour our commitments,' Bush said when asked about giving US funds to Rwanda for the African Union mission. However, he pointed out that the funding request has not been passed yet by the US Congress.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of HIV/Aids and foreign investment in Rwanda.

Bush offers to help catch Rwanda criminals
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 · THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
President Bush, right, meets with Rwanda's President Paul Kagame in the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday, May 31, 2006, in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
WASHINGTON -- President Bush called the 1994 genocide of a half-million people in Rwanda "one of the most significant tragedies in modern history" and said the United States would give any help the country wanted to track down those responsible who are still at large.

In an Oval Office meeting Wednesday with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Bush also pledged to help repay the country for troops that it has sent to deal with another genocide - a violent conflict raging in Sudan's Darfur region that has left 180,000 people dead and an additional 2 million homeless.

Bush said the money will come from a supplemental spending bill that is being considered by Congress that also includes funding for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and to aid Hurricane Katrina victims.

"I told the president that sometimes the Congress doesn't move as quickly as I'd like on issues, but I'm confident they'll get the supplemental passed when they come back from their Memorial Day break," Bush said.

Bush credited Kagame with trying to bring reconciliation to his country. He said Kagame offered to help with similar efforts in Iraq.

"But the way I look at the situation is that Rwanda can serve as an example for other societies that are troubled," Bush said.

"To the extent that he wants our help in finding certain perpetuators of crime, we'll be glad to do so," Bush said.

Kagame thanked Bush for U.S. support in sending troops to Darfur, combating HIV/AIDS, supporting private investments and building infrastructure.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AND PRESIDENT PAUL KAGAME OF RWANDA
THE OVAL OFFICE, THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, D.C. WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2006
PRESIDENT BUSH: I want to welcome the president of Rwanda to the Oval Office again. He was here last year, and I'm honored to welcome you back. The president is a -- he's a man of action; he can get things done. I'm proud of your leadership.

We talked about a lot of issues. We talked about the Sudan, and I want to thank the president for committing troops in the AU mission to help deal with what I have called a genocide. We strategized about how we can go forward to resolve this situation. ...

Rwanda: New Governor On Familialisation Tour
The New Times (Kigali) May 29, 2006
Edward K Mwesigye Kigali

The newly-appointed governor of the Western Province, Penelope Kantarama, this week started a familialisation tour around the province to interact with residents and local leaders.

Kantarama started her tour around Kamonyi and Rutsiro districts is expected to visit other districts and hold public rallies. In her tour, the governor will be accompanied by some heads of unit from the province and security officials among others.

On her tour in Kamonyi and Rutsiro districts, the governor was briefed on the problems facing the districts that included among others, roads and houses which were recently destroyed by a heavy downpour, poor health services, shortage of land for cultivation, water access and poor communication.

In particular, Kamonyi town (former Kibuye town) faces the problem of poor sanitation commonly worsened by poor urban planning and over fishing along Lake Kivu where fishermen use mosquito nets.

On her part, Kantara hailed the local leaders and the security officials for maintaining security and steady growth around the area.

"It is interesting to see good development activities taking place in the province. Part of my tour is to understand the major challenges facing the province," she said, and called on the residents to participate in income generating activities.

She added: "Security is a major basis for economic development and residents should guide it consciously."

Residents were urged to participate in Gacaca proceedings and fight against genocide ideologies.

The third division commander Maj. Gen. Ceaser Kayizare, said there was general security apart from a few incidents of smuggling reported in the sectors of Mushoyi, Kigeyo, Musasa and Kivumu in Rutsiro District.

Rwanda: Girls' School to Cost Frw 450m
The New Times (Kigali) May 29, 2006
Emmy Nuwamanya Kigali

Southern province: A new project to construct a girls' secondary school at a cost of Frw 450 million was recently launched in Huye District. The project foundation stone was laid by Becky Tinsley, a Canadian and one of the sponsors for the project, who said that the school is to be named: Girls' Academy for Excellency (GAE). The science-based school will be constructed in Mpare Cell, Tumba Sector.

According to Tinsley, the school will begin within two years with a capacity of accommodating 1,300 girls.

"Any society that does not value women is half a society, it was my dream to see that this project (starts) to support Rwandan girls," said Tinsley, adding that women need to be empowered in order to have a balanced development in the country.

The Anglican Church Bishop for Butare Diocese, Venuste Mutiganda, who is among the promoters, said that the project was initiated when British Senator David Elton visited former Butare province last year.

"After being told about the problem of girl-child education, he pledged to take action. It is now through Becky, his personal secretary that this project is being implemented."

On his part, Huye district mayor Aimable Twagiramutara, urged Mpare residents to seize the opportunity by sending their children to school. He added that this school is in line with the government policy to promote gender balance.

"Unlike before when girls were pressed to study minor courses, it is high time they were given a chance to explore science and technology courses like boys," said Twagiramutara.

The area residents will also gain access to electricity that is going to be extended to area due to the project.

Widows in nearby communities are also to benefit from the project. The sector has a high number of widows and orphans due to the 1994 Genocide.

Rwanda: Regional Scholars Exalt Country
The New Times (Kigali) May 29, 2006 Steven Baguma Kigali

Barely weeks after eight student researchers from the US National War College chose Rwanda as their case study because of its unique and fascinating history, another batch of eleven student researchers and Directors from the Kenya National Defence College

have applauded Rwanda's entire reputation in the region and on the African continent. The students from eight regional countries of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Sudan are in the country for a ten-day visit to acquire authentic information about Rwanda after which they will compile research reports.

"We surely chose Rwanda as our case study because of the commendable record it has, not only in the region but also on the African continent," the Team Leader Ambassador, Meshack George Nyambati, told The New Times shortly after their arrival at Kigali International Airport, on Saturday evening.

Nyambati said the students who are pursuing a one year Diploma and Master's Degree in International Relations, and their other colleagues, who after touring the whole of Kenya, selected Uganda and Tanzania as their research nations, are to use the findings mainly in recommending solutions to conflicts in the Great Lakes region and the entire continent.

"All the students who include civilians, Police and military officials, upon completion of their course, will go back to their respective countries and turn the knowledge acquired and findings into policies as most of them are policymakers," he underscored.

According to Nyambati, most of their recommendations are geared towards infrastructural development and addressing cultural differences that have always proved challenging.

The New Times has learnt that in the course of their study tour in Rwanda, the team members will hold talks with various government officials, visit military and police academies and attend Gacaca sessions.

The Military Spokesman Maj. Jill Rutaremera told The New Times that the visit was symbolic.

"It is good that they are to address conflicts in the Great Lakes that are a challenge to us too; it is also great that Rwanda has an excellent image in the region," Rutaremara said.

He added that some RDF high ranking officials have attended the college, while nine other military officials and civilians are at the college.

UGANDA

Uganda says LRA guerillas hiding in Congo
May 31 2006 - Sapa-dpa

Kampala - Top leaders of the notorious Lords Resistance Army (LRA) guerillas are still hiding in a game park in north-eastern Congo despite reduced UN peace keeping troops in the country, Ugandan military authorities said Tuesday.

The UN force in Congo or MONUC recently withdrew most of the troops in the troubled Ituri region, leaving only six Nepalese peace keepers on the grounds that there was no evidence of the LRA who moved into the region late last year after crossing from Sudan.

Earlier this year, reclusive LRA leader Joseph Kony and his top commanders moved into Congo's Garamba national park after facing pressure in southern Sudan from where they had been waging a 20-year rebellion which has displaced over 1,5 million people in northern Uganda.

"Our position has not changed and it is that the LRA is still hiding in Garamba National park. The truth of the matter is that the LRA is still in Garamba park and we do not know what MONUC is up to," Uganda's army spokesman Major Felix Kulayigye said.

The LRA has abducted tens of thousands of youths
Kony and LRA commanders have been indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, and recently held a rare meeting with Sudan's deputy vice-president Riek Machar and announced his readiness to end the rebellion against the government in Kampala peacefully.

Major Kulayigye said that after the talks with many senior LRA leaders, Kony moved back to Congo as he had nowhere to hide in southern Sudan.

The LRA has abducted tens of thousands of youths and children whom they have forced to wage war and commit atrocities against civilians. Abducted girls have been turned into sex slaves.

Uganda says both the UN and the government in Kinshasha are not doing enough to flush out the LRA.

Ugandan president calls for regional joint hunt for rebel leader
May 31, 2006 Source: Xinhua

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called on the United States to facilitate a regional joint hunt for the country's top rebel leader Joseph Kony, the state- owned New Vision daily reported on Wednesday.

Uganda has been advocating for a joint operation with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Sudan and the United Nations on the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels, led by Kony who is reportedly camped in Garamba National Park in eastern DRC.

Museveni said while the Uganda People's Defense Force (UPDF) had the capacity to repulse any attacks, the problem was having LRA rebels "staying freely in Congo."

Kony and his fighters fled their base in southern Sudan and crossed to the DRC following a hot pursuit by a joint operation of the UPDF and the Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA).

Museveni called on the U.S. government to play a mediating roll in the proposed process while meeting a delegation from Oklahoma City at the State House on Tuesday.

He noted that ending the terrorism by the LRA was no longer solely a Ugandan problem but needs the cooperation of relevant countries

This is the third time Uganda is making an appeal for a regional approach in fighting the LRA who have killed tens of thousands of people and compelled over 1.4 million into refugee camps in northern Uganda.

Ugandan former defense minister Amama Mbabazi has asked the UN Security Council to allow Uganda pursue the LRA hiding in the DRC in April. He made the same appeal while meeting senior Sudanese government officials and the UN Khartoum team.

The Ugandan government has issued an ultimatum expires on July 30 to the LRA to end the rebellion peacefully, following a message of resuming peace talk from the elusive rebel leader.

Uganda's biggest concern is discontinued operation would allow the rebels to regroup and reorganize for a resurge.

The report of the New Vision also indicated the alleged frequent presence of an Antonov plane, which hovers over sections of Garamba National Park where the LRA leader is believed to be hiding.

"We believe that it is airdropping supplies for LRA. How long are we going to helplessly watch LRA re-organizing itself," said the paper quoting a senior SPLA intelligence officer in Yei, southern Sudan.

UPDF officers in Yei confirmed the plane "hanging" over Garamba park, but the military spokesman Felix Kulaigye in Kampala told Xinhua on Wednesday they were not aware of the "ghost" plane.

Uganda: Financial Sector Clocks $69.9 Million Profits

The East African (Nairobi) May 30, 2006
Betty Onyango, Special Correspondent Nairobi

Uganda's financial sector has registered tremendous growth in equity profitability between 2002 and 2004, an investment survey has revealed.

The Bank of Uganda's executive director in charge of research, Dr Michael Ating Ego, said the 2005 private investment survey revealed that profits after taxation increased from $54.5 million in 2002 to $69.9 million in 2003.

This was attributed to the increase in the financial flows from investors in the UK - many of them Ugandans working at odd jobs there - which, at 28.6 per cent, form the largest chunk of Uganda's foreign direct equity investment (FDI).

"The financial sector is picking up more than any other sector because there are a lot of money transfers in and out of Uganda," he said.

Sectors that have attracted FDI over the period include mining ($43 million) manufacturing ($35 million) and transport and telecommunications ($23.7 million).

Presenting the report to investors, Dr Ating Ego said FDI is more stable than other sources of funding for investment in Uganda.

Apart from the UK, other sources of FDI to Uganda in 2002 were Bermuda, 16.4 per cent, Ethiopia 9.1 per cent, Kenya 9 per cent, US 6.9 per cent and Mauritius 6.4 per cent. The report also indicates that, in 2004, FDI investments from Kenya increased to 10.3 per cent; Mauritius to 9.2 per cent; Switzerland to 7.9 per cent and the US to 8.1 per cent.

"It is interesting to note that FDI from African countries, namely Kenya, Mauritius and Ethiopia, has increased," said Dr Ating Ego.

The FDI from other African countries such as Libya, South Africa, Rwanda , Egypt, Tanzania, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo has also increased.

The report also revealed that 30,000 people were employed in the financial sector in 2003/2004 and, according to Lawrence Byensi of the Uganda Investment Authority, 95 per cent of these were Ugandans.

The Uganda Investment Authority also noted that the costs of doing business in Uganda had fallen between 2002 and 2004. However, the investors present protested that the costs of accessing these services were still high and need to be brought down in order to attract and sustain more investment.

The data was provided by the foreign private capital monitoring division of Bank of Uganda's Trade and External Debt Department.

The department was set up to provide accurate and up-to-date data on private-sector capital inflows and outflows for the compilation of balance of payment statistics.

The senior principal officer in charge of trade and external debt, Philip Katamba, said the organisation has established a computerised private-sector external debt database capable of providing real-time information on the country's private sector.

"The monitoring policy will enhance the creation of an enabling environment that retains and attracts both domestic and foreign investment," said Mr Katamba

Tanzania: Air Tanzania Subsidies Reach $2.8 Million
The East African (Nairobi) May 30, 2006
Wilfred Edwin, Special Correspondent Nairobi

The Tanzania government has been subsidising the Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ATCL) to the tune of more than Tsh500 million ($400,000) every month following its decision to end joint ownership of the airline with the giant South African Airways.

Air Tanzania has been running under government subsidy for the past seven months, with the total amount now coming to Tsh3.5 billion ($2.8 million).

The Minister for Infrastructure, Basil Mramba, told The EastAfrican last week that the situation was "becoming increasingly intolerable."

He said the disengagement had reached the stage of "governmental level talks," which implied that technical issues were left to shareholders.

"I am becoming impatient seeing a commercial airliner running on subsidies. We can't operate like this any more," said Mr Mramba. He would not, however, reveal the government's course of action should the situation fail to improve.

The acting chief executive officer of Air Tanzania, Gert van Wyk, confirmed last week that the firm has been running on subsidies since November last year.

Industry analysts observe that Air Tanzania is beginning to offer a bad example as a failed privatisation attempt; the firm is headed for further huge losses to the tune of Tsh6.7 billion ($5.5 million) this financial year.

Ever since the controversial deal to sell a 49 per cent stake to the South Africans, ATCL has been making substantial losses. It made losses of Tsh8.7 billion ($7.3 million) in its first year after privatisation in 2003, and a further loss of Tsh9.3 billion ($7.7 million) in 2004.

Thus, it made a total loss of Tsh24.7 billion ($20.6 million) during its four-year marriage with South African Airways (SAA), which has seen it operating with only two aircraft. Prior to privatisation, the airline had three operating aircraft.

SAA, itself currently mired in a management crisis, is reported to have also been seriously affected by a financial crisis deepened by leases of Boeing aircraft that have swallowed up more than R1 billion ($167.8 million), and the impact of a recent weeklong strike by cabin crew and ground staff.

Mr Mramba said recently that the country is now focusing on creating Air Tanzania as its own national airline once the SAA-ATCL deal is over.

However, key questions pertaining to the airline deal remain unanswered. A member of the Parliamentary Committee for Economics and Finance recently asked the government to explain how much was needed and who would fund the breaking up the SAA-ATCL affair. So far, no figures have been made available.

Analysts are of the opinion that the SAA-ATCL partnership deal could prove to be one of President Jakaya Kikwete's acid tests, showing how his new government will deal with "bad contracts."

When Tanzania sold shares to SAA for $20 million, the latter had no experience in running foreign airline joint ventures; thus, Air Tanzania became its first international training ground.

Last week, an ATCL official said that although a Boeing 737-200, number 5H ATC, had been brought back from South Africa where it had been taken for maintenance, there would still be a shortage as a similar plane is due for maintenance.

DRC appeal dismissed

31/05/2006 Bloemfontein - Pretoria businessman Frans Rootman failed on Wednesday in a legal bid to get President Thabo Mbeki to help him execute a court order against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rootman claims he has not been paid for work he had done for the DRC government. He has sued them for an outstanding amount of more than R97m ($15m).

Rootman earlier sought an order against the president and the minister of justice compelling them to take steps to assist him against the government of the DRC.

The Pretoria High Court dismissed the application against the president, but Rootman appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

On Wednesday the SCA upheld the high court judgment in dismissing the appeal.

In briefing to Security Council, President of Congo sees 'light at end of tunnel' concerning African conflicts thanks to international support

SC/8733 Security Council 5448th Meeting (AM)*
Source: United Nations Security Council Date: 31 May 2006

It should be possible to glimpse light at the end of the tunnel as scenarios developed for the ending of such African conflicts as those in Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Darfur, thanks to the road maps, timetables and scenarios developed by the international community, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso of the Congo said this morning.

The President, who was briefing the Security Council in his capacity as the current Chairman of the African Union, said that, in the case of Darfur, there was a framework for a transition towards a United Nations operation with a strong African component following the accord reached in Abuja on 5 May. However, in managing some post-conflict situations, sustained international support was needed to prevent a relapse into conflict.

Most of Africa’s current conflicts were not new, and included the tragic case of Somalia, the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia, the crisis in northern Uganda, and the Western Sahara dispute, he said. They had lasted because they had not been appropriately dealt with or because of a lack of mutual commitment or confidence on the part of the main protagonists. On the other hand, conflicts that had been among the worst on the continent had now been settled in an encouraging way. The Angolan civil war was just a bad memory, as were the crises in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and, more recently, in Burundi.

He said Africa could now see the possibilities for a brighter future in the economic field, where the indicators seemed to show a considerable movement towards the consolidation and establishment of longer-lasting growth, as well as in the area of peace and security. The continent was heading in the right direction, even if that movement was not a straight line and often remained fragile. In implementing the partnership between the United Nations and the African Union, Africa had the appropriate tools, particularly the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and the non-aggression and common defence pact adopted in Abuja in January 2005. While there was still a long way to go, the longest journey always began with the first step, and nowhere was it written that tragedy must remain at the heart of Africa’s future.

The meeting began at 11:10 a.m. and ended at 11:25 a.m.

Briefing by Chairman of African Union

DENIS SASSOU-NGUESSO, President of the Congo, briefed the Council in his capacity as the current Chairman of the African Union, saying that the stabilizing action undertaken by the Council and its partnership with the regional organization were to be welcomed and encouraged, particularly since today’s meeting was taking place on the eve of the Council’s missions to Africa next week. A fortunate coincidence had placed the Congo, as Chair of the African Union this year, in a position to play its own modest part at the Council’s side as it undertook its initiatives in favour of Africa. Harmonizing the actions of the two bodies required efficiency and credibility and justified the regular consultations between them.

The partnership between the United Nations and the African Union was founded on a vision that established clearly that there could be neither peace without development nor development without peace, he said. The Secretary-General’s report on the causes of conflicts and the promotion of peace and sustainable development in Africa created the basis for a vast strategy of prevention that took into account all the dimensions of the violent crises shaking the African continent. Resolutions 1170, 1196, 1208, and 1209, adopted by the Council in 1998, continued to be relevant, stressing as they did the close links between international peace and security and sustainable development, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, the necessity for the international community to confront in a global way the illicit flow of weapons to and within Africa, which affected not only security, but also social and economic development. It was a matter of building viable and stable societies.

He said that Africa could now see possibilities for a brighter future, in the economic area, where the indicators seemed to show a considerable movement towards consolidating and establishing longer lasting growth, as well as in the area of peace and security. Africa was going in the right direction, even if that movement was not a straight line and often remained fragile.

Most of the current conflicts were not new, but dated back to at least three years ago, he said. Those included: Somalia, a tragic case; the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia; the crisis in northern Uganda; and Western Sahara. Those were conflicts that had lasted because they had not been appropriately dealt with or because there had not been mutual commitment or confidence on the part of the main protagonists. The conflicts that had been among the worst on the continent had now been settled in an encouraging way. The civil war in Angola was now just a bad memory, as were the crises in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and, more recently, in Burundi.

In the management of some post-conflict situations, he appealed for sustained international support, which, in the long term, should prevent a relapse into conflict. For that reason, he welcomed the recent establishment of the Peacebuilding Commission, which, in Africa, would find a place for “experimentation”. In the case of certain other conflicts, the international community had scenarios for emerging from crises, which should allow for some light to be glimpsed at the end of the tunnel. Such situations existed in Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Darfur. There were road maps in place and clear timetables, which must be respected by the national actors, whom he was determined to support.

In the case of Darfur, following the accord reached in Abuja on 5 May, there was a framework for a transition towards a United Nations operation with a strong African component in close cooperation with all the parties, particularly the Government of National Unity of the Sudan, he said. The partnership between the United Nations and the African Union and its subregional communities must be strengthened. He welcomed the adoption by the Security Council on 14 September 2005 of resolution 1625 (2005) on enhancing the effectiveness of its role on conflict prevention, particularly in Africa. In implementing that partnership, the African continent had the appropriate tools. He was referring in particular to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council and the non-aggression and common defence pact, adopted in Abuja in January 2005.

He stressed his common determination to put an end to those unacceptable situations still taking place in Africa by using all means at the international community’s disposal, particularly in the framework of the partnership that had been established between the United Nations and the African Union. Of course, there was still a long way to go, but the longest journey always began with the first step. Patience and extended effort were extremely valuable. Hopefully, the path to be covered together would lead to more promising horizons. Nowhere was it written that tragedy must remain at the heart of Africa’s future, he concluded.

* The 5447th Meeting was closed.

DRC did not prosecute because of ties with SA
Legalbrief Today Wed 31 May 2006 Category: General
Issue No: 1590

Democratic Republic of Congo government officials say they did not pursue charges against the 19 South Africans arrested there last week for allegedly plotting a coup because of that country's excellent ties with SA and time constraints.

The South Africans, says an SABC News report, were among at least 26 foreigners arrested last week for allegedly trying to destabilise the DRC ahead of the elections in July. Bene Mpoko, Congo's Ambassador to SA, says the electoral process of that country is far more important and could not be compromised.

South Africa: Dlamini-Zuma Upbeat About DRC Political Situation
BuaNews (Tshwane) May 30, 2006 Clive Ndou Cape Town

With the Democratic Republic of Congo's first ever democratic elections on the horizon, South Africa's minister of foreign affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has attributed that country's political triumph to one of Africa's fallen heroes, Patrice Lumumba, saying it was such revolutionary patriots that continued to inspire "all of us".

Mr Lumumba, who was the first prime minister of the then Congo after its independence from Belgium in 1960, was, a year later, killed by rivals in a civil war widely believed to have been sponsored by western powers.

Quoting from a letter by the late Congolese to his wife, Ms Dlamini-Zuma said the title of the letter, History will one day have its say, was prophetic.

"How inspiring and fulfilling it is to all people in the continent and international community that we are at the dawn of that day when history will have its say in the Democratic Republic of Congo," she said.

The DRC will hold its first democratic elections on July 30.

Ms Dlamini-Zuma, who was tabling her department's budget vote yesterday, said a successful election in the DRC would also unleash a vast amount of human energy in the struggle against poverty and underdevelopment in that country as well as the rest of the continent.

"Peace and stability in the Congo will consolidate peace and stability in the Great Lakes."

Among other contributions made by South Africa in bringing peace and stability to the African continent, Ms Dlamini-Zuma mentioned progress being made in Sudan.

"The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the establishment of the government of National Unity in Khartoum and the government of Southern Sudan, ushered in a new era to the Sudanese people," she said.

On Cote d' Ivoire's political situation, Ms Dlamini-Zuma said President Thabo Mbeki and her department were working tirelessly to bring to an end the conflict in that country.

"We are encouraged by the commitments made by President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Banny to work together in recognition of their responsibility in that country," she said.

On political developments beyond the African Continent, Ms Dlamini-Zuma said South Africa would continue to throw its weight behind the implementation of international treaties and instruments in the fight against international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

"We recognize the inalienable right of all Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT) members, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, to the peaceful uses of nuclear technology," she said.

UN Security Council demands release of Nepalese soldiers in DR Congo
(AP) 31 May 2006

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council condemned Tuesday an attack against UN peacekeepers from Nepal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and demanded the release of seven soldiers held by militiamen.

The Nepalese soldiers clashed with suspected members of the Nationalist and Integrationist Front (FNI) Sunday in the DRC’s Ituri province, leaving one Nepalese peacekeeper dead.

Seven other Nepalese members of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) were detained by militiamen.

“The members of the Security Council condemn the attack against Nepalese troops from MONUC perpetrated in Ituri last Sunday,” the 15-state world body said.

“MONUC troops presently detained must be released without delay. Those who detain them shall be held responsible for anything that might happen to them,” the Security Council said in a declaration read by Pascal Gayama, the deputy ambassador of Congo, which holds the council presidency for the month.

The seven Nepalese soldiers lost contact with their base Sunday after clashes with militiamen suspected of belonging to the FNI at Fataki, about 60 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of Bunia, the main town in Ituri province.

Armed militias in the conflict-prone northeastern district have remained active after the end of a war that embroiled the whole of the vast central African country between 1998 and 2003.

The FNI, whose leader Floribert Ndjabu has been under arrest since March 2005, was created across the border in Uganda early in 2003.

The force has been blamed for most of the violence in Ituri since December last year and is believed responsible for the murder of nine Bangladeshi UN troops

KENYA: Call for coordinated anti-corruption strategy
31 May 2006 Source: IRIN
NAIROBI, 31 May (IRIN) - Kenya's efforts to combat graft would be greatly enhanced if the country's anti-corruption commission were given the power to prosecute individuals suspected of engaging in graft, said participants at a meeting on how best to fight the vice.

Currently, the mandate of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) is restricted to investigating cases of suspected corruption and then handing over evidence to the attorney general's office for prosecution. Representatives from state institutions and the public sector gathered in the capital city of Nairobi on Tuesday to discuss a proposed national anti-corruption plan, designed with a view to ensuring a more coordinated approach against graft in Kenya.

Critics said resources were not being equitably shared between the investigative KACC and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which plays the prosecutorial role in government. They warned that the disparity in resource allocation could result in corruption cases meticulously investigated by the well funded KACC failing to lead to convictions in court because of weaknesses in prosecution.

"The problem has been that one entity has been massively facilitated," said Keriako Tobiko, the director of public prosecution, during the meeting.

Justice Minister Martha Karua acknowledged that corruption was still rampant in Kenya, despite efforts by the government to fight it. She supported the call for enhanced coordination between the various state organs with the mandate to fight graft. "It seems we have only scratched the surface in fighting the menace," she said.

President Mwai Kibaki's government, which came to power in 2002 pledging to eradicate corruption, has been plagued by allegations of high-level graft.Several cabinet ministers resigned earlier this year after they were mentioned in ongoing corruption investigations. Several bilateral donors and the World Bank have withheld some funding to Kenya because of concerns that the government is not doing enough to tackle corruption.

Kenya's flag carrier posts highest pre-tax profit

Source: Xinhua May 31, 2006

Kenya's flag carrier Kenya Airways announced on Wednesday it has posted the highest pre-tax profit in its 29-year history of 6.9 billion shillings (about 96 million U.S. dollars for the financial year ending March 31, 2006.

Airline officials said the growth was achieved from total revenue of 52.8 billion shillings (about 733 million dollars), which represents a 25 percent increase from the previous year's 42. 2 billion shillings (about 586 million dollars).

Kenya Airways Managing Director and Chief Executive Titus Naikuni told an investor briefing in Nairobi that the airline had achieved sustained growth in profitability despite increased competition and historically high fuel prices during the year.

"The Middle and Far East businesses grew and continues to develop in this important and growing areas," Naikuni told investors.

He attributed the profitability to continuing growth in passenger and cargo carrying on new and existing routes.

However, the chief executive said the strongest growth was registered on African routes with western and central Africa leading with 26 percent growth followed by southern Africa, northern Africa and eastern Africa at 22 percent, 21 percent and 5 percent respectively.

He said the domestic network continued to experience growth registering a 22 percent increase in passenger numbers during the year.

During the financial year, the airline, one of Africa's few profitable airlines, carried 2.4 million passengers, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year.

Naikuni explained that Europe showed a 20 percent increase due to the success of the B777 aircraft, which currently number three in total.

During the year, cargo volumes registered a substantial growth of 24 percent growth mainly due to more cargo space available on the larger B777 aircraft and increased frequencies of B767 in Africa.

The airline expects to take delivery of a fourth B777 in early 2007 in addition to three new B737-800 planes by the end of 2006.

Kenya Airways is 26 percent owned by Air France-KLM's KLM Royal Dutch subsidiary.

OPEC: Angola, Sudan ask to join oil cartel

Bloomberg News - May 31, 2006
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Angola and Sudan, which account for more than 1.5 million barrels a day of oil production, are seeking to join OPEC, said Ivan Orellana, Venezuela's governor to the oil cartel.

The two African nations have "submitted their requests," Orellana said Tuesday.

"It's now up to the ministers to decide," he said. "Other countries, including Latin American countries, have also requested membership." He declined to name the Latin American countries.

Angola and Sudan would be the first new members in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries since 1971, when Nigeria joined. Ecuador quit OPEC in 1992, and Gabon left in 1995.

"Raising another flag or two isn't going to have that much of an impact on markets or OPEC," said James Williams, an analyst with

Angola Attends AIDS Conference In New York

New York, 05/31 - ANGOP - Angolan Health deputy minister, José Van-Dúnen, will represent the country`s Head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos, at the International conference on HIV/AIDS, which starts this Wednesday in New York, USA.

José Van-Dúnen is leading an Angolan delegation that comprises the MP Hélder Albuquerque, the director of the National Institute for the combat to HIV/AIDS, Ducelina Serrano, and António Castelo Branco, who is linked to the Presidency of the Republic.

The Angolan Health deputy minister will grant an interview on Thursday to the United Nations Radio.

Angola will also participate in various round tables and panels of discussion on agenda for the next days. The deputy minister, José Van-Dúnen, will speak on Friday.

The meeting that will gather various heads of State and Government, ministers and deputy ministers, as well as representatives from the civil society and private sector, has the objective of presenting to the UN a joint vision, at the highest level, of the results achieved until now in the fight against this epidemic, as well as the challenges yet to be faced, specially, in the African continent.

The participants will until 02nd June analyse common strategies on prevention, treatment, care and support concerning the fight against AIDS, with a view to reach positive results by 2010 and the action against the disease, 25 years after its appearance.

The central theme of the International Conference will be under the motto "Uniting the World in the fight against AIDS

ANGOLA-ZAMBIA: Angolan repatriation hampered by lack of funds, fear of cholera
31 May 2006 Source: IRIN Myanmar displacement
More LUSAKA, 31 May (IRIN) - The ongoing repatriation of more than 12,000 Angolan refugees from Zambia is under a double threat: lack of donor funding and a cholera outbreak ravaging their home country.
According to the Geneva-based International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, in Zambia, a US$5 million shortfall could affect resumption of the repatriation programme, scheduled to start on 25 June.

"We need funds to resume the exercise because we have not received anything since we made an appeal to donors early this year," said Josiah Ogina, the IOM head of mission in Zambia.

The decision to resume repatriation, only taken in January this year, had delayed the sourcing of funds for the programme, and there were fears that the donor-dependant programme might run into 2007. "Donors have told us that they can only consider helping us sometime in June or later part of this year. When we launched our [funding] appeals, they had already budgeted for other issues," Ogina said.

The issue of funding was paramount to the IOM and UNHCR, while the cholera outbreak in Angola, despite having affected most parts of the country, and especially the capital, Luanda, was a problem they might have to deal with later.

"We can't talk about cholera or suspending the exercise, which has not even started. Our main concern now is to look for funds ... so far, we have not received anything, and the donors are our only hope," UNHCR country representative Ahmid Said Farah told IRIN.

The World Health Organisation's (WHO) most recent update noted that "Angola has reported 40,842 cumulative cases and 1,527 deaths in 13 out of 18 provinces" since the declaration of a cholera outbreak in February.

However, the Zambian government said it was waiting for feedback from local and Angolan health authorities on cholera before resuming the repatriation exercise.

Peter Mumba, the permanent secretary in the ministry of the interior, told local media that a number of Angolan refugees had expressed fear over their pending return home because of the reported cholera outbreak. He said the government would wait, and not act unreasonably by sending people home when the environment was unfavourable.

Although cholera was a threat, Ogina noted that returnees would be vaccinated and hygiene measures would be in place to protect them from contracting the disease. A team of cholera experts from Angola is to visit Zambia from 8 to 9 June to brief the Zambian government, IOM and UNHCR on the status of the Angolan outbreak.

According to David Noguera, coordinator of the cholera emergency response by the medical charity, Medecins Sans Frontieres, the "cholera situation has become a lot more quiet - we are down from 500 new cases a day, in Luanda alone, to less than 300 new cases countrywide".

Noruega said a number of factors had contributed to the improved situation: "The end of the rainy season has been important, as well as the fact that people have become increasingly aware of cholera - everyone has lost friends; people get the message now."

Since 2003 an estimated 63,000 Angolan refugees who fled Angola during the civil war, which ended in 2002, have been repatriated from Zambia, leaving 26,000 Angolan refugees in camps and over 22,000 more outside the UNHCR-run settlements.

Mumba warned that Angolan refugees intending to stay in Zambia should brace themselves for tough immigration measures. "All Angolan refugees should take advantage of this assisted repatriation exercise to go back home," he told IRIN. "Those who will remain behind will be subjected to strict immigration rules and must justify their presence in Zambia."

SOUTH AFRICA:

SA to sign treaty with Sudan
May 30, 2006 http://www.sabcnews.com

An agreement to establish the Joint Bilateral Commission between South Africa and Sudan is expected to be signed by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the foreign affairs minister, and Baranaba Benjamin, her Sudanese counterpart, in Cape Town today. Both countries have expressed confidence that the Darfur Peace Agreement signed in Abuja recently will hold and bring lasting peace in Sudan.

A high-powered Sudanese delegation is in the country to set up a legal framework that will co-ordinate efforts to bring stability to the Southern part of that country and in the greater Sudan, including strife-torn Darfur. Delegates from the two countries are meeting in Tshwane.

Meanwhile foreign affairs ministry will concentrate its efforts on the upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The South African government has been actively involved in creating a platform for dialogue between rebels and the government. "There is a real prospect for a democratic election in the Congo and South Africa is actively involved in the preparation of the election. Our Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is working with the IEC in the Congo and ministerial departments are also assisting, if the Congo can have a successful election it will be a highlight for foreign affairs," says Dlamini-Zuma.

Ireland and Denmark have donated R11 million to the IEC to assist it work on Congolese elections. The bulk of the donated funds would be used to run seminars to train presiding officers of polling stations, political parties and for IT infrastructure. The IEC would also help the central African nation with logistics, staff recruitment and conflict resolution in its first democratic elections in 40 years.

South Africa is actively involved in the upliftment of the continent; "the ANC has never confined its efforts to making life better for its citizens only. It has always extended its efforts to uplifting the rest of the continent," says Dlamini-Zuma.

The elections are to take place on July 30, a Sunday. edited by Margaret Maluleka

AFRICA / AU :

Afrique Centrale: Ceeac : vers la mise en place d'un cadre de gestion intégrée des ressources en eau
Le Potentiel (Kinshasa) 30 Mai 2006 Amedee Mwarabu Kiboko Kinshasa

La capitale de la République du Congo, Brazzaville, a abrité le 27 mai une réunion des ministres en charge de la gestion des ressources en eau des pays membres de la Communauté économique des Etats de l'Afrique centrale (Ceeac).

Les échanges ont tourné autour de la nécessité de mettre en place un cadre de gestion intégrée des ressources en eau dans la communauté. Les conclusions de la réunion des ministres ont été réservées à la primeur de la prochaine conférence des chefs d'Etat.

Le ministre congolais de l'Energie et de l'Hydraulique, vice-président du Conseil des ministres africains de l'eau (Amcow), Bruno Itoua, a souligné la détérioration des ressources en eau. «La dégradation de la qualité de l'eau, due à la pollution, menace la santé publique et les écosystèmes aquatiques. Tous ces problèmes sont aggravés par les carences des systèmes de gestion au niveau des pays, ainsi que la faiblesse des cadres de coopération entre les Etats pour la gestion intégrée des eaux transfrontalières», a-t-il ajouté. M. Itoua a évoqué l'absence d'une institution intergouvernementale chargée de la coordination des questions de management des ressources en eau ; l'insuffisance des cadres de gestion des ressources en eau ; la faiblesse des cadres législatif et réglementaire, régissant le secteur de l'eau ; l'absence de politique de l'eau dans les Etats et la faiblesse du taux de couverture des services en eau potable.

L'Afrique centrale est l'une des régions africaines qui disposent de plus de potentialités hydrauliques. Mais, les pays de cette région présentent de faibles taux de couverture en eau potable surtout en milieu rural. D'après les statistiques, les populations rurales connaissent des difficultés dans l'accès à l'eau potable.

Les données par pays se présentent de la manière suivante: Angola 40%, République du Congo 17%, Guinée 42%, Gabon 47%, République centrafricaine (Rca) 37%, Rwanda 40%, Rdc 26%, Cameroun 39%, Tchad 26% et Burundi 77%. Peuplée d'environ 120 millions d'habitants, la Ceeac est un espace économique au sein duquel les questions d'eau potable sont d'actualité.

La Banque africaine de développement a adopté, depuis 2000, une politique de gestion intégrée des ressources en eau. La banque entend aider les pays à apporter de l'eau potable à 80% de la population rurale d'ici 2015. Huit pays ont déjà tiré profit du soutien financier de la Bad, évalué à 300 millions Usd.

D'ici fin 2007, une douzaine de pays recevra un appui de la banque d'environ 500 millions usd.

ACP countries to request extra funding from Europe

31/05/2006 - ABC Asia Pacific TV / Radio Australia

Ministers from the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) grouping are preparing to push ahead with demands for additional funding from Europe.

ACP ministers meeting in the Papua New Guinea capital, Port Moresby, will ask the European Union to establish a special fund to soften the impact of future trade agreements.

Our reporter in Port Moresby, James Panichi, says ministers from 79 ACP countries will meet with European officials on Thursday to discuss the future of regional trade deals with the EU.

The three regions that make up the ACP are preparing separate Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) ahead of a 2008 deadline.

The EPAs are designed to foster economic development through aid projects and privileged access to European markets.

However, it now appears all ACP members - including 14 from the Pacific - will push ahead with demands for the creation of what is to be known as an EPA Adjustment Facility.

The special fund would help assist with the development of the agreements and lessen the short-term impact of any tariff reduction.

European officials arriving in Port Moresby are continuing to rule out the granting of any additional funds, both before and after the implementation of the agreements.

UN /ONU :

DR Congo: Annan condemns attack on Nepalese peacekeepers

Kofi Annan 31 May 2006 – Secretary-General Kofi Annan today condemned a recent fatal attack on Nepalese United Nations peacekeepers serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and urged the release of those detained after a confrontation with armed militias.

“The Secretary-General is deeply saddened at the death of a Nepalese peacekeeper, and the wounding of three other Nepalese peacekeepers, serving with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), on 28 May in the area of Tsupu in the Ituri district,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

“The Secretary-General strongly condemns this attack, and the capture of seven Nepalese peacekeepers by armed groups, and calls for their immediate release,” he said, stressing that “those responsible for these acts should be held accountable.”

The statement, which extended condolences to those affected, mirrored comments made by Mr. Annan himself during a ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York honouring fallen peacekeepers.

It also echoed the Security Council’s condemnation of the attack in a statement to the press on Tuesday evening. “MONUC troops presently detained must be released without delay,” declared Pascal Gayama of the Republic of the Congo, which holds the presidency for the month of May. “Those who detain them shall be held responsible for anything that might happen to them.”

USA :

President Bush Welcomes President Kagame of Rwanda to the White House
Oval Office 11:43 A.M. EDT http://www.whitehouse.gov

PRESIDENT BUSH: I want to welcome the President of Rwanda to the Oval Office again. He was here last year, and I'm honored to welcome you back.

The President is -- he's a man of action, he can get things done. I'm proud of your leadership. We have talked about a lot of issues. We talked about the Sudan, and I want to thank the President for committing troops in the AU mission to help deal with what I have called a genocide. We strategized about how we can go forward to resolve the situation. I thank you for your wisdom, I thank you for your concern.

One of the interesting things about President Kagame's government is there is more women in his government than anywhere else in Africa, which I think speaks to the man's character and understanding about how societies remain strong and whole. I appreciate his commitment to education. And I want to thank you, Mr. President, for your understanding that the best way for an economy to develop is to welcome private capital. He's been working hard with companies here in America. Many companies are taking a good look at Rwanda because they realize it's a country where they will be treated fairly and there is a transparent society and he's had some success, which will help people find work. And that's, to me, a sign of leadership. So welcome back.

I, finally, want to thank you for your commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS. This government has done a really good job of using some of the monies that we provided to save lives. And I've always told people that it's one thing for the American government -- and the American people, more importantly -- to generously write checks to help, but it requires strong leadership at home. And you provided that leadership.

So I welcome you back to the Oval Office and thank you for your friendship.

PRESIDENT KAGAME: Thank you, President. It's a great honor for me to be here, President, and I appreciate the discussion we have had on a wide range of issues, starting with bilateral discussions we have had about United States government has been very helpful in its support of Rwanda in different areas -- dealing with HIV/AIDS, to supporting the private sector to invest in our country, to dealing with infrastructure programs. And also the support we have had during the period we were working under the African Union mission to send our troops to Darfur. The United States government, with your support, Mr. President, we have had our forces, our troops aided by the United States military to Darfur and continued support for the African Union mission.

We are very grateful for generally the support in the area will bring peace to the Great Lakes region and to supporting the efforts in Sudan and, ultimately, that process of supporting my country to be able to develop and continue building on the foundation we have made in the last 12 years. So we appreciate that, Mr. President.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Welcome. The President and I will take two questions a side, starting with the Americans. Nedra.

Q Mr. President, what have you been told about the killings at Haditha? And are you worried about the impact it could have on the situation in Iraq?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I am troubled by the initial news stories. I am mindful that there is a thorough investigation going on. If, in fact, the laws were broken, there will be punishment. I know this: I've talked to General Pete Pace about the subject, who is a proud Marine, and nobody is more concerned about these allegations than the Marine Corps. The Marine Corps is full of men and women who are honorable people who understand rules of war. And if, in fact, these allegations are true, the Marine Corps will work hard to make sure that that culture, that proud culture will be reinforced, and that those who violated the law, if they did, will be punished.

Q I'll ask a question -- I'm a journalist from Rwanda.

PRESIDENT BUSH: Welcome.

Q Can I ask you a question on the genocide of Rwanda? It's been 13 years after the genocide of Rwanda, but many perpetrators of the genocide, many people who did it, who carried out the genocide are still at large. One estimate is about over 50 of them in Europe and the U.S., others in the Congo. What's the U.S. going to do to help run -- to get these people to --

PRESIDENT BUSH: The interesting thing about Rwanda today is that you have a President who understands that part of a successful society is for people to work hard on reconciliation. There's no question the genocide in Rwanda was a real tragedy. It's one of the most significant tragedies in modern history. And, yet, your President and his government has worked hard to reconcile, help people reconcile the tragedy at all levels of society.

To the extent that he wants our help in finding certain perpetuators of crimes we'll be glad to do so. But the way I look at the situation is that Rwanda can serve as an example for other societies that are troubled. As you know, we're working hard in Iraq to bring a democracy -- to help a democracy grow there. And, yet, there's still sectarian violence. People are still using violence to achieve either revenge or political means. And the Rwanda example shows what's possible when people work hard on reconciliation.

That's why I support Prime Minister Maliki's desire to have reconciliation moves. And the President actually offered to help, and it may be at some point in time it makes sense for the new government in Iraq to do that. But I'm very proud of the accomplishments that Rwanda has made over 13 years -- 13 years after the genocide.

Kelly.

Q Mr. President, Secretary Rice is outlining a change in U.S. position toward Iran today, after so many years of not engaging directly with them. Why now? And will you respond directly to the letter from the President?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I believe it's very important that we solve this issue diplomatically, and my decision today says that the United States is going to take a leadership position in solving this issue. And our message to the Iranians is that, one, you won't have a weapon, and two, that you must verifiably suspend any programs, at which point we will come to the negotiating table to work on a way forward.

I thought it was important for the United States to take the lead, along with our partners, and that's what you're seeing. You're seeing robust diplomacy. I believe this problem can be solved diplomatically, and I'm going to give it every effort to do so.

I've talked on the telephone in the last couple of days with Jacques Chirac and Angela Merkel, and I spoke to Tony Blair when he was here about this issue, I spoke to Prime Minister Koizumi. I'm on the phone a lot talking to -- and President Putin, by the way -- and I'm on the phone a lot talking to our folks that share the same concern I share, and say, look, let's get this solved diplomatically, but there must be a united international front that shares the same message, and that is, is that we will work collaboratively to prevent the Iranians from developing a nuclear weapon.

I also want to make it very clear that we have -- we respect the Iranian people, and we respect their heritage and their history, and we hope their government listens to the international demands and doesn't isolate itself from the world, and doesn't foolishly spend money on a weapons program that takes away the capacity -- the ability for the Iranian economy to grow so people are able to put food on the table and find work.

Final -- anybody else from Rwanda?

Q Yes, Mr. President, I come from Rwanda. I heard the President of Rwanda thanking you for the assistance you are giving on Darfur, but in spite all that you've been doing, it has persisted. Are you planning to up your support in that regard, Mr. President?

PRESIDENT BUSH: To support the Rwanda troops in Darfur? I will. As a matter of fact, we had a very good discussion about this subject. The President is concerned about whether or not the United States will honor its commitments. We will honor our commitments, but the United States Congress must pass the supplemental with the money in there for the Sudan. See, part of the money in a supplemental request that's working its way through a conference committee now is to help repay a country like Rwanda that's putting troops on the ground.

And so I told the President that sometimes the Congress doesn't move as quickly as I'd like on issues, but I'm confident they'll get the supplemental passed when they come back from their Memorial Day break. That supplemental must, one, meet the financial conditions that I talked about -- in other words, I'm going to veto the bill if they spend more money than I requested -- and it's got to set -- it's got to meet priorities, as well. And one of the priorities is our own troops who are in harm's way. And another priority is helping the Katrina victims. And a third priority in that bill that we've submitted, is to help in Sudan. I told the President I'm confident they'll pass that bill, and that his troops will get reimbursed.

Thank you all very much.

Bush promises US would fulfil financial commitments to Rwanda
May 31, 2006, dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

Washington - US President George W. Bush said Wednesday the US would live up to its commitment to help Rwanda fund its peacekeeping operation in Sudan.

Bush and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame discussed the issue and the situation in Sudan's Darfur region at a White House meeting Wednesday.

Bush thanked Kagame for committing troops to the African Union mission to deal with the genocide in Sudan and the two leaders strategized how to proceed on the issue, the US president said following their meeting.

'We will honour our commitments,' Bush said when asked about giving US funds to Rwanda for the African Union mission. However, he pointed out that the funding request has not been passed yet by the US Congress.

The two leaders also discussed the issue of HIV/Aids and foreign investment in Rwanda.

U.S. Envoy Yamamoto Continues Personal Diplomacy in Ethiopia
29/05/2006 http://usinfo.state.gov

Ambassador's visit follows positive Tripartite meeting in Kigali, Rwanda
By Jim Fisher-Thompson Washington File Staff Writer
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia -- During a May 27-29 visit, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto continued his quiet but effective brand of diplomacy by helping Ethiopians resolve domestic political differences following the nation’s orderly but disputed May 2005 elections.

Yamamoto also offered advice on the border conflict between Ethiopia and neighboring Eritrea.

The former ambassador to Djibouti is following the proactive diplomatic approach to Africa set by Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and Assistant Secretary of African Affairs Jendayi Frazer, who also have made several trips to troubled regions on the continent.

Yamamoto’s visit to Addis Ababa follows his attendance at a meeting on the Tripartite Plus peace process in Kigali where he helped facilitate an agreement between the four nations of Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda to better share information on rebels in the region and on a list of individuals and groups marked for sanctions. (See related article.)

The week before the diplomat arrived in Addis Ababa, one of Ethiopia’s leading opposition movements -- the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (CUDP) -- made an announcement repudiating the extreme measures called for by some who oppose the ruling party, measures that might have included a series of deadly explosions that ripped through the capital recently.

In its May 25 statement, CUDP said it "condemns the criminals engaged in the recent explosions … [and] is deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction of property.

CUDP said it is committed to ending the mistaken belief that ‘Who ever ascends to power by force could only be toppled by force. CUDP firmly believes that the rivalry among citizens and killing of each other must stop."

The party, formerly known as CUD, said it "realizes that any activity which is contrary to a peaceful struggle would endanger the sovereignty of the country as well as security of citizens."

Yamamoto addressed the issue of political extremism in both Ethiopia and among the Ethiopian Diaspora in America when he told the House Africa Subcommittee in March, "Some interested groups, both within and beyond Ethiopian borders, seek to undermine what is best for the nation of Ethiopia, in favor of what they perceive to be the best for themselves. (See related article.)

"The challenge for the United States," Yamamoto told the lawmakers, is "to share with our Ethiopian partners -- the government, opposition, civil society and the broader public -- the lessons of America’s own democratic experiment and impede the subversive effects of those who put their own objectives above those of the Ethiopian people."

When such a group of Ethiopians in America called the Alliance for Freedom and Democracy (AFD) recently formed claiming CUDP as a member, the party said, "We wish to make it clear a few individuals in the Diaspora masquerading as CUPD illegally may have been engaged in this [extremist] activity.

However, "The legally registered CUDP isn’