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http://www.africanews.org/central/congo-kinshasa/stories/19990222_feat3.html
EU Offers To Help Rehabilitate DRC
February 22, 1999
Lusaka, Zambia (PANA) - The European Union has offered to help with the reconstruction of the Democratic Republic of Congo after the warring parties signed an effective cease-fire to end the current conflict in that country.
According to a statement issued by the German EU presidency in Bruseels, the 15 -member union would be prepared to consider a rehabilitation programme for the country if there was "an effective cessation of hostilities, internal progress on peace, democracy and respect for human rights."
The EU, which did not specify the nature of reconstruction aid it would offer to post-war Congo, reiterated its call for a negotiated settlement acceptable to all Congolese and other countries in the region to guarantee peace, stability and democracy.
It urged all parties to the peace process to take advantage of current positive signals for a possible cease-fire to enhance the peace efforts for the speedy conclusion of the envisaged cease-fire.
The EU, which is supporting the regional peace efforts through it a special envoy to the Great Lakes region, Aldo Ajello, welcomed the preparedness of Congolese President Laurent Kabila to negotiate with all parties to the conflict.
It also commended the mediation efforts of Zambian President Frederick Chiluba under the auspices of the Southern African Development Community.
Chiluba and others involved in the peace process have recommended the deployment of an international peace-keeping force of the UN and OAU to supervise the implementation of a cease-fire that could be signed.
Two interstate committees charged with addressing the security concerns of Congo's neighbours as well as working out details of the cease-fire implementation have already been formed with representations of the UN and OAU.
Sources close to the peace process have hinted that the cease-fire could be signed early March by all the parties, including the Congolese Rally for Democracy rebels and their backers, Uganda and Rwanda, and Kabila's government and its military allies, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola and Chad.
The rebels have been battling the Kabila government since early August.