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WEEKLY NEWS ISSUE of: 26-06-1997      PART #1/  

* Afrique/G8. Aide ou commerce?  -  Les participants au sommet des
G8 (7+1), qui s'est tenu a Denver du 20 au 22 juin, n'ont pas la
meme approche de l'aide a apporter a l'Afrique. Les Etats-Unis
plaident pour plus de commerce et d'investissements. La France met
l'accent sur l'aide au developpement, notant qu'elle finance 4 fois
plus d'aides aux pays en developpement que les Etats-Unis et 7 fois
plus en ce qui concerne l'Afrique. Les Canadiens ont egalement
reagi a l'offensive americaine en se disant precurseurs en matiere
d'aide "non post-coloniale" au developpement, de reduction des
dettes, d'ouverture commerciale et de maintien de la paix. Le long
chapitre africain du communique final n'en est pas moins marque par
l'approche americaine, qui privilegie commerce et investissements
comme moteurs du developpement et qui reserve l'ouverture
occidentale aux pays reellement reformateurs.   (Le Soir, Belgique,
23 juin 1997)

* Africa. G7 Summit -- Bland compromises  -  20-22 June: The Group
of Seven may now have become the Group of Seven and a half, with
Russia's arrival on the scene, but the limitations of the whole
process have been painfully exposed in Denver, USA. It is not just
that the affair is so transparently stage-managed, nor that the
Americans gratuitously used the occasion to boast about how
wonderful their economic performance has been during the 1990s.
Every country tries to turn the occasion into a propaganda coup:
the Americans simply are a lot less shameless about it. The real
flaw is that the summits are simply incapable of making decisions
in areas where some sort of lead is vital. They can churn out page
after page of utter vacuity, but a big fat zero when it comes to
providing debt relief for the developing world or targets for
pollution reduction.   (The Guardian, U.K., 23 June 1997)

* South Africa. Legislation on universities  -  On 18 June, the
cabinet approved new legislation on universities and urged those
attended in the past by Afrikaans-speaking whites, to adjust to the
needs of English-speaking blacks. Education Minister Sibusisu
Bengu, said the Bill would establish "a single coordinated system
of higher education, while encouraging diversity". But the youth
wing of the right-wing Freedom Front, who want self-rule to protect
their cultural identity, said in a statement that the Bill
reflected an attitude of revenge rather than reconciliation.  
(Newspot, USA, 18 June 1997)

* Afrique du Sud. Remous autour de Chris Hani  -  La commission
Verite et Reconciliation en Afrique du Sud est confrontee cette
semaine avec une affaire delicate: la demande d'amnistie des
assassins de Chris Hani, dirigeant antiapartheid tres populaire,
abattu en 1993. La veuve de Hani a demande le report des auditions,
pour que ses avocats aient le temps d'examiner le volumineux
dossier de J. Walus et C. Derby-Lewis, les assassins. Le camp de la
victime a recuse toute amnistie des coupables.   (Le Soir,
Belgique, 23 juin 1997)

* South Africa. TRC  -  A battle to decide the future of the two
men who murdered the South African Communist Party leader, Chris
Hani, began before the Truth & Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on
23 June. Lawyers for the Hani family formally announced their
intention of contesting the attempt by Clive Derby-Lewis and Janusz
Walus to obtain their freedom. About 200, mainly black protesters
surrounded right-wing whites in the town hall of Benoni, east of
Johannesburg, to see the two men appear before the commission's
amnesty committee. The committee agreed to postpone the hearing
until 11 August.   (The Guardian, U.K., 24 June 1997)

* South Africa. P.W. Botha will not seek amnesty  -  On 25 June,
former president P.W. Botha said he will never seek amnesty from
the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Former apartheid
police officers have charged in testimony to the TRC, that Botha
personally authorized "dirty tricks" against anti-apartheid
activists.  -  Also, the TRC has yet to decide whether to summon
Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, in connection with two missing children. 
 (Newspot, USA, 25 June 1997)

* Algerie. Reprise des attentats  -  Quinze jours apres la treve,
tres relative, des elections legislatives, les Algeriens renouent
avec attentats aveugles et massacres. Le 19 juin, une bombe a
explose dans un cinema au centre d'Alger. Un premier bilan faisait
etat de deux morts et vingt blesses. 26 personnes ont par ailleurs
ete assassinees ces derniers jours, 15 a Djouaza et 11 pres de
Bechar. Dans la nuit du 18 au 19 juin, 24 membres d'une meme
famille ont ete egorges dans un village de la Mitidja, aux portes
d'Alger. Les autorites de leur part lancent a pas de charge
l'ultime etape de la legitimation des institutions: les
municipales. Le president Zeroual a appele, le 19 juin, l'ensemble
des partis a une rencontre sur "la date et les modalites
d'organisation" des elections locales prevues avant la fin de
l'annee.   (Liberation, France, 20 et 25 juin 1997)

* Algerie. Sept islamistes au gouvernement  -  Sept islamistes de
l'ex-parti Hamas ont ete nommes le 25 juin dans le gouvernement
d'Ouyahia, largement domine par le parti presidentiel vainqueur des
legislatives du 5 juin. Ce dernier prend tous les ministeres de
souverainete. Le gouvernement comprend 4 ministres et 3 secretaires
d'Etat du MSP (ex-Hamas); le meme nombre de ministeres et de
secretariats d'Etat sont octroyes au FLN (ex-parti unique).
L'annonce du nouveau cabinet est intervenue sur fonds de massacres
ces derniers jours et d'un attentat, le 25 juin, contre un train a
Alger qui a fait au moins 40 blesses.   (Liberation, France, 26
juin 1997)

* Botswana. Media under pressure  -  Parliament is due to debate a
Mass Media Communications Bill during the third week of June.
Should the Bill go through, which is quite likely, given the
majority voice of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) in
Parliament, it will give the Minister for Presidential Affairs and
Public Administration, sweeping powers over the mass media and the
Press. Local journalists have expressed great concern over the
matter. Under the Bill, the Minister responsible, will be empowered
to establish a Board, to oversee broadcasting activities, the
licensing of decoders, the registration of newspapers, the
establishment of a Press Council to regulate the Press, and the
accreditation of journalists. The Bill further seeks to empower the
Minister to appoint a Registrar of Newspapers, under which no one
will be allowed to publish a newspaper unless permitted by the
Registrar.   (Mwange Kauseni, Botswana, 20 June 1997)

* Burundi. UNICEF urges support for moderates  -  20 June: UNICEFžs
representative in Bujumbura, Michel Sidibe, urges support for
moderates in Burundi, including Major Buyoya, to ensure the country
does not "explode". He tells a press briefing in New York that
since Buyoya took office, security in the countryside has improved,
a negotiation process is in place, and refugees are being
repatriated. However, he notes that the child malnutrition rate in
displaced people's camps has doubled since 1993, from 6% to 12%,
and the standard of living in camps is very poor. Over 100,000
children are without any kind of support.   (IRIN, Kenya, 24 June
1997)

* Cameroon. Biya to study English  -  President Paul Biya has
expressed interest in being taught English by a British Council
teacher in Yaounde. The British Council Newsletter reports that an
inquiry to this effect was recently made at the British Council's
Language Centre on behalf of the President, by the Deputy Minister
of External Relations, Francis Nkwain. The Newsletter quotes
British Council Authorities as saying that "as soon as the
President can spare the time, we will gladly say "yes"". Mr Biya's
intention is indicative of the new trend at the British Council's
English Language Centre, and other English language learning
facilities in Yaounde. Government Ministers are joining the
Centre's list of 800 students, which includes primary and secondary
school children, university students, housewives, businessmen and
Embassy personnel.   (Tamfu Hanson Ghandi, Cameroon, 17 June 1997)

* Centrafrique. Nouvelles violences  -  23 personnes ont ete tuees
et quelque 70 autres blessees dans des affrontements qui opposent
depuis le vendredi 20 juin a Bangui des militaires rebelles a la
force africaine de maintien de la paix (Misab), selon un bilan de
la Croix Rouge le dimanche. Les affrontements ont eclate apres la
mort d'un soldat senegalais de la Misab. Des obus ont explose aussi
dans l'enceinte de l'ambassade de France, faisant sept blesses. 500
militaires francais se sont deployes dans la ville, essayant de
ramener le calme aux cotes de la force interafricaine. Apres une
accalmie, le dimanche matin, les combats ont repris au cours de
l'apres-midi. Le lundi 23 juin, les soldats tchadiens de la force
interafricaine ont lance une violente offensive contre les mutins
qui avaient repris les tirs; l'attaque a suscite une debandade et
provoque de lourdes pertes dans la population civile. Un bilan
provisoire fait etat de plus de 60 morts et une centaine de
blesses. Le president du Comite international, le general malien
Toure, etait toujours attendu le 23 au soir dans la capitale
centrafricaine. La journee du 24 etait calme.   (ANB-BIA, de
sources diverses, 25 juin 1997)

* Centr.Afr. Rep. Fresh clashes in Bangui  -  23 June: Fresh
clashes between African peacekeepers and disaffected soldiers,
shake parts of Bangui, as the city awaited the arrival of mediator
Amadou Toumani Toure. Witnesses report a mini-exodus of several
thousand residents fleeing their homes in the city, for the
security of the countryside, following clashes that began on 20
June. The Bangui peacekeeping force has been touted as a possible
solution to the troubles in Brazzaville. 24 June: African
peacekeepers shell parts of Bangui where mutinous soldiers are
holed up. Residents say that shelling of Camp Kassai and southern
districts, loyal to mutineers, began at about 11.a.m. local time.
The mutineers have yet to rejoin their units under the January
peace deal.   (Newspot, USA, 23-24 June 1997)

* Congo (Brazza). Truce extended  -  20 June: The warring factions
agree to extend the 72-hour truce, for a further seven days. France
completes its withdrawal from Brazzaville. 21 June: The UN
Secretary General asks the Security Council to authorize a
multinational force to be sent to The Congo, to prevent a
resurgence of fighting. No decision is taken. 23 June: A 90-minute
artillery duel takes place in Brazzaville. Support is growing for
a peace force. Eight West African States, whose leaders met in
Togo, express support for such a force. Officials from Senegal and
Togo say they will contribute troops. 24 June: The Press reports
that the former president of Congo (Brazzaville), Denis Sassou
Nguesso, has threatened to launch a major offensive against the
government, if President Pascal Lissouba does not resign
immediately. The threat comes in a statement, broadcast by the
radio station under Mr Nguesso's control. The statement says that
the former president's "Cobra militia" will begin, by targeting the
families of government army officers. There has been no response
from The Congo government. Lissouba still reportedly plans to ask
a constitutional council to extend his term in office by three
months. 25 June: Fresh fighting erupts in Brazzaville, with shells
hitting the city centre. A ferocious battle for Brazzaville
Airport, sends hundreds of civilians fleeing. Diplomats say that
former president Nguesso appears to have launched an assault on the
airport.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 26 June 1997)

* Congo-Brazzaville. Force d'interposition?  -  19 juin. Seconde
journee consecutive de calme, a Brazzaville. L'emissaire de l'ONU
et de l'OUA, M. Sahnoun, a indique que le Conseil de securite de
l'Onu pourrait "se decider rapidement" sur la creation d'une force
internationale deployee a Brazzaville. Il a adjure la France
d'interrompre le retrait de ses troupes jusqu'a l'envoi d'une force
africaine d'interposition, mais Paris a declare que son operation
devrait normalement s'achever le 22 juin. Les observateurs
craignent une flambee de violence des que le dernier soldat
francais sera parti. 20 juin. B. Kolelas, le maire de Brazzaville
qui agit comme mediateur, a annonce que les deux parties
antagonistes avaient accepte de prolonger la treve d'une semaine a
partir de minuit. 21-22 juin. Le cessez-le-feu a commence a
s'effriter. Des fusillades et quelques tirs de mortiers ont ete
entendus. Le Conseil de securite de l'Onu a autorise le secretaire
general a consulter les pays susceptibles de fournir une force de
maintien de la paix, mais cette eventuelle force ne sera deployee
que sous reserve d'un cessez-le-feu "scrupuleusement respecte"...
23 juin. Les affrontements a l'arme lourde reprennent. A Kinshasa,
ou sept obus sont tombes tires de Brazzaville, le gouvernement de
M. Kabila "lance un dernier avertissement aux belligerants". 24
juin. Apres quelques tirs sporadiques en debut de matinee, le calme
revient. 25 juin. Le duel d'artillerie a repris avec intensite et
la bataille pour l'aeroport international a ete engagee.   (ANB-
BIA, de sources diverses, 26 juin 1997)

* Congo (RDC). Non-assistance a l'enquete  -  Le "Washington Post"
affirmait le 19 juin que Kabila, suite a de fortes pressions du
Rwanda et de l'Ouganda, a demande aux responsables locaux de ne pas
aider la mission d'enquete de l'Onu chargee de faire la lumiere sur
les massacres de refugies hutu qui se seraient deroules dans les
zones administrees par l'Alliance. Cette enquete des Nations unies,
retardee par l'Alliance, doit finalement commencer le 7 juillet.
Les six premiers membres de la commission sont arrives le 20 juin
a Kinshasa. Par ailleurs, les organisations non gouvernementales
congolaises tiennent cette semaine des assises a Kinshasa en vue
d'apporter leur contribution a la conception du plan de
developpement que doivent definir les nouvelles autorites. Le
ministre de la Reconstruction a pour sa part declare que la
participation de la societe civile ne pouvait etre negligee, mais
a attribue l'eclosion des ONG a l'absence d'Etat. On signale
d'autre part que l'ex-president Mobutu a ete hospitalise a Tanger,
au Maroc, pour subir une chimiotherapie.   (ANB-BIA, de sources
diverses, 21 juin 1997)

* Congo (RDC). Refugees still emerging  -  Small groups of Rwandan
refugees have begun emerging from hiding around Shabunda, Katchunga
and Lulingu in eastern Congo (DRC), where UNHCR estimates there are
some 20,000 refugees. Local authorities told UNHCR staff that the
large military presence in the region has been withdrawn, and
refugees who had been living in the villages are coming out oif
hiding to seek relief. They are reported to be in good health.  
(IRIN, Kenya, 25 June 1997)

* Congo (RDC). Leading political figures arrested  -  21 June: The
government has detained several political figures prominent during
former president Mobutu's rule. News of the arrests, which took
place over the last few days, followed an announcement today that
those in charge of state enterprises have been collectively
suspended. A government official says: "There will be an audit into
the accounts of state enterprises. If there is evidence that public
funds have been diverted, those concerned will be arrested,
questioned and handed over to a tribunal".   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 21
June 1997)
* Congo (RDC). Arrestations de dignitaires  -  Durant le week-end
du 21-22 juin, les soldats de l'Alliance ont arrete ou mis sous
surveillance plusieurs dignitaires du regime Mobutu. Il s'agit
d'hommes politiques (comme Justin Bomboko et le secretaire general
du MPR), de plusieurs generaux, et de responsables d'entreprises
publiques. D'autres figurent sur une liste de personnes a arreter,
dont l'ancien Premier ministre M. Kengo. Au moment de leur
arrestation, les barons du regime se voient poser trois questions:
quel etait le montant de leurs avoirs avant l'arrivee au pouvoir de
Mobutu, pendant et apres. M. Kabila a declare que ces personnalites
devaient s'expliquer sur la maniere dont le pays a ete pille.  
(d'apres Le Soir, Belgique, 23 juin 1997)

* Egypte. L'excision redevient legale  -  Un an apres son
interdiction par le ministre de la sante, le tribunal administratif
du Caire a decide d'autoriser de nouveau la pratique de l'excision.
C'est une coalition heteroclite d'integristes religieux et de
medecins reactionnaires qui est a l'origine du jugement. Le cheick
al-Badri s'en est felicite. Pour lui, l'excision est recommandee
par un "hadith" du Prophete meme si elle ne constitue pas une
obligation religieuse. Un responsable de l'Organisation egyptienne
des droits de l'homme a annonce qu'on ferait appel devant le
Conseil d'Etat.   (d'apres Liberation, France, 25 juin, 1997)

* Environment: Special UN session  -  A special UN Session began on
23 June in New York, with the aim of adopting a political
declaration on 27 June, renewing countries' commitment to goals set
at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit five years ago. But on 23 June,
there were fears that many developing countries would not sign the
declaration without firm assurances of stronger financial aid. Mr
Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe, told the special session:
"The international community seems to remember the existence of
Africa only when disaster strikes the continent". If financial
resources were forthcoming, Africa would refrain from killing wild
animals, cutting down trees for energy, and polluting water
resources because of lack of technology. Among key issues that
ministers and top officials from 185 nations will try to resolve at
this weeks review of the Earth Summit, is the disagreement over
plans to reduce "greenhouse gas" emissions by 7.5%, by the year
2005; and by 15% by the year 2010. (Editor's note: On 24 June, the
United States was accused of failing to act on climate change and
of failing to deliver promises made at previous summits).  
(Financial Times, U.K., 24 June 1997)

* Environnement. Sommet de la Terre  -  Le deuxieme sommet de la
Terre s'est ouvert le 23 juin a New-York dans un climat de
pessimisme. Apres un etalage des divergences entre les Europeens et
les Americains, les pays en voie de developpement ont, des
l'ouverture, accuse pour leur part les pays industrialises de ne
pas respecter leurs engagements de 1992 sur des transferts de fonds
et de ressources technologiques. Le president de la Tanzanie,
Benjamin Mpaka, qui preside un groupe de 132 Etats, s'est plaint du
"declin desastreux" de l'aide publique au developpement. Celle-ci
est tombee de 0,25% du produit interieur brut des pays riches, qui
avaient promis de la porter a 7%.   (La Croix, France, 25 juin
1997)

* Grands Lacs. Relance du CPGL  -  Les ministres des Affaires
etrangeres de la Republique democratique du Congo, du Rwanda et du
Burundi doivent se rencontrer mercredi le 25 juin a Kinshasa pour
relancer la Communaute economique des pays des Grands Lacs (CPGL).
Cette information a ete donnee, sans autre precision, a l'AFP par
le cabinet des Affaires etrangeres congolaises. La CPGL, qui
regroupe l'ex-Zaire, le Rwanda et le Burundi, represente un
ensemble de plus de 50 millions d'habitants. L'organisation a
toutefois ete handicapee ces dernieres annees par les mauvaises
relations qu'entretenait le regime Mobutu avec ses deux voisins.  
(La Libre Belgique, 24 juin, 1997)

* Kenya. Tensions entre les Eglises et le regime  -  A Nairobi, le
19 juin, la police a entoure le Parlement pour empecher une
demonstration a laquelle avaient appele une organisation de
groupements civils, des membres de l'opposition et des
ecclesiastiques, afin d'obtenir des deputes une revision des lois
electorales avant les elections qui doivent avoir lieu cette annee.
Auparavant deja, les Eglises chretiennes du Kenya, dans un document
commun de quinze pages, avaient demande a cet effet au president
Moi une adaptation minimale de la Constitution. Le document lui fut
remis le 12 avril. En absence de reaction, les responsables des
Eglises en communiquerent le contenu dans une conference de presse,
le 22 mai, et le texte integral fut publie dans deux journaux de la
capitale. Les Eglises partent du principe de la separation des
pouvoirs et demandent entre autre la creation d'une commission
electorale independante.   (d'apres De Standaard, Belgique, 20 juin
1997)

* Kenya. Tension rises  -  18 June: Kenya's divided opposition is
girding up for a pre-election offensive to win constitutional
reforms, but the signs are, that President Moi is ready to suppress
protests with force. The capital, Nairobi, previewed what may be in
store, when security forces dispersed a banned opposition rally on
31 May. Two days of rioting followed. Now, the political debate is
tense and laced with the language of violence. 19 June: Hundreds of
protesters defy heavy security presence in Nairobi and march
through the city demanding constitutional reforms. Within
Parliament, opposition members drown out Finance Minister Musalia
Mudavadi, with boos and thumping of feet as he tries to deliver the
annual budget speech. An opposition members says there is an
exchange of blows between parliamentarians.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels,
20 June 1997)

* Landmines. Conference in Brussels  -  Belgium has called for a
worldwide ban on anti-personnel landmines. The Belgian Foreign
Minister made the appeal in a speech, opening a four-day conference
to discuss the best way to rid the world of such weapons. The aim
of the conference is to draw up a blueprint for a treaty, that will
bring about a worldwide ban on anti-personnel landmines. The United
States is seeking an alternative approach to banning landmines, and
wants to work through the United Nations.   (Voice of America, USA,
24 June 1997)
TIT_3 = * Libye. Rapport A.I.  -  Amnesty International a denonce,
le 24 juin, le "climat de terreur" qui prevaut en Libye et les
"violations flagrantes" des droits de l'homme perpetrees "dans le
secret et l'isolement". Dans un communique annoncant la publication
d'un nouveau rapport, Amnesty souligne que ces violations sont
"approuvees au plus haut niveau de l'Etat".   (Le Monde, France, 26
juin 1997)

* Liberia. Campagne electorale  -  La campagne electorale pour les
elections presidentielle et legislatives du 19 juillet, qui doivent
marquer la fin de sept ans de guerre civile, a ete officiellement
ouverte le 16 juin par la Commission electorale independante. Au
total, douze personnalites, dont trois anciens chefs de guerre et
une femme, briguent la presidence liberienne. Le president de la
Commission a appele les partis politiques a faire preuve de "la
plus grande maturite" au cours de la campagne.   (Marches
Tropicaux, France, 20 juin 1997)

* Liberia. Heavy rain hampers voters census  -  On 24 June, Liberia
launched a 10-day voter census despite torrential rain, as a
crucial step on the road to the 19 July elections. The tropical
downpour disrupted the start of voter registration in the capital,
witnesses said, but electoral officials were confident that they
would complete the exercise in time for the poll. The independent
electoral commission said that despite the rain, it would send more
registrars to the jungle interior to prepare for the polls.  
(Newspot, USA, 24 June 1997)

* Mali. Mesures d'apaisement  -  Une dizaine de militants de
l'opposition, arretes a Bamako et a Segou a la suite de
manifestations interdites, ont beneficie d'une mise en liberte
provisoire le 17 juin et plusieurs autres ont ete relaxes. La
veille, cinq leaders de l'opposition avaient egalement ete remis en
liberte provisoire. Pour sa part, le parti au pouvoir se declare
dispose au dialogue, mais demande que les scenes de violence soient
proscrites. Ces mesures d'apaisement devraient permettre un retour
au calme, tandis que la societe civile, representee par Mgr. Luc
Sangare, archeveque de Bamako, a entrepris une mediation entre le
pouvoir et l'opposition.   (Afrique Express, France, 19 juin 1997)

* Namibia. Low-cost mining strategy  -  Fundamental changes are
taking place at NAMDEB, the diamond mining company on which
Namibia's economy depends heavily -- it accounts for 10% of
Namibia's Gross Domestic product; 30% of exports; is the biggest
taxpayer and, apart from the government, the biggest employer. Now,
the company, jointly owned by the Namibian government and De Beers
of South Africa, is switching to high tonnage, low cost mining.
This is because the rich ore deposits have gradually been mined
away and only low-grade deposits remain. NAMDEBžs general manager
says an essential component of the drive to cut costs, is the need
to reduce the number of employees.   (Financial Times, U.K., 24
June 1997)
* Nigeria. Fuel crunch hits Nigerian commuters  -  23 June:
Hundreds of thousands of commuters are stranded in Lagos, as a
five-week fuel shortage shows no sign of abating. Hours after
offices are supposed to open, workers are still waiting for buses
that will not come. The few vehicles that manage to obtain fuel
from the black market, charge 300% above normal. Many workers,
especially those in government ministries, are unable to afford the
high fares and have chosen to stay at home. The military rulers,
after emergency talks in Abuja, pledge to end the fuel shortage
within two days. "There will be enough fuel in the country within
48 hours", Colonel Dominic Oneya says. He does not say how this
will be done but it was the most categorical response by the
military government to the crisis.   (Newspot, USA, 23-24 June
1997)

* Nigeria. UN names first human rights investigator  -  On 24 June,
a South African law professor was chosen to investigate human
rights in Nigeria for the United Nations. Tiyanjana Maluwa of the
University of Cape Town, South Africa, will be the UN Human Rights
Commission's first special rapporteur to probe allegations of major
abuses in Nigeria, including executions.   (Newspot, USA, 24 June
1997)

* Nigeria. "Keep Nigeria out"  -  Nigeria should not be allowed to
return to the Commonwealth because it has made no progress on human
rights or democracy, since being suspended, the British Foreign
Secretary, Robin Cook, said on 25 June. "Nothing has happened that
would justify the lifting of the suspension. Nigeria is for the
moment outside the Commonwealth and should stay outside the
Commonwealth", he said.   (The Guardian, U.K., 26 June 1997)

* Rwanda/CAR. UN to screen Rwandan ex-soldiers  -  Hundreds of
members of Rwanda's former Hutu government army who have fled to
the Central African Republic (CAR) from Zaire, may lose their
refugee status after being screened by the UNHCR. A spokesman for
the UNHCR said his organisation planned to send a protection team
to the CAR soon, for "status determination" for a group of 800
Rwandan Hutu refugees.   (Newspot, USA, 24 June 1997)

* Sahara occidental. Discussions  -  James Baker, l'envoye special
de l'ONU pour le Sahara occidental, a impose un huis clos severe
sur la deuxieme serie de discussions, entamee le 23 juin pres de
Lisbonne entre le Maroc et le Front Polisario, sur ce conflit vieux
de plus de 20 ans. Baker s'est montre aussi peu loquace avec les
journalistes que les parties "concernees" (Maroc, Polisario et Onu)
et les parties "interessees" (Algerie et Mauritanie) sur ces
entretiens entames le 12 juin a Londres. Le Maroc et le Front
Polisario revendiquent depuis 1975 la souverainete sur le Sahara
occidental, anciennement colonie espagnole. Ils n'ont pas reussi a
s'entendre depuis 1991 sur la tenue d'un referendum
d'autodetermination, divergeant sur les personnes qui pourraient y
participer. On apprenait cependant que le premier jour des
discussions pres de Lisbonne toutes les parties ont exprime leur
volonte de voir mis en application le plan de paix de l'Onu
prevoyant un tel referendum. Le deuxieme jour, 24 juin, on a
cherche les moyens de sortir de l'impasse. Mais, avec un jour
d'avance sur le programme prevu, J. Baker a annonce l'ajournement
des conversations: "Quand nous en sommes arrives a debattre de
questions tres importantes et que l'Onu a soumis des propositions
de compromis, les deux parties ont senti le besoin d'en referer au
plus haut niveau chez elles", a-t-il souligne au cours d'une
conference de presse. Une nouvelle rencontre pourrait avoir lieu a
la mi-juillet.   (ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 25 juin 1997)

* Sierra Leone. Vers des elections?  -  Les Kamajors (miliciens
composes de chasseurs traditionnels), qui refusent de se rallier
aux auteurs du coup d'Etat, ont attaque le 19 juin la garnison
gouvernementale de Kenema (a l'est). Le meme jour, les rebelles se
sont declares prets a rendre les armes a condition que des
elections anticipees soient organisees, mais ils refusent le
retablissement dans ses fonctions du president renverse. D'autre
part, en signe de detente, les quatre navires de guerre nigerians,
stationnes face a Freetown depuis le putsch, ont ete retires des
eaux territoriales. Selon une source nigeriane, les ministres des
Affaires etrangeres des pays d'Afrique de l'Ouest devraient se
reunir le 26 juin a Conakry pour faire le point de la situation.  
(ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 24 juin 1997)

* Sierra Leone. Respecting human rights  -  25 June: Amnesty
International again calls for human rights to be respected. The new
military rulers should respect and protect the fundamental human
rights of all Sierra Leoneans. Among concerns already raised by
Amnesty International directly with Major Johnny Paul Koroma, who
heads the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), is the
detention of at least 15 people who were arrested on 16 June,
accused of conspiring to overthrow the AFRC. Amnesty International
is also concerned about killings by soldiers in operations to
prevent and deter looting, after announcements by the AFRC that
looters would be shot on sight.   (Amnesty International, 25 June
1997)

* Somalia/Belgium. Paratroopers on trial  -  23 June: Three Belgian
paratroopers from an elite battalion, face a court martial today,
following allegations that they and their colleagues tortured and
may have murdered Somali civilians including children, during the
UN operation Restore Hope in Somalia in 1993. The three men are
charged with threatening behaviour and physical violence and could
face imprisonment if found guilty.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 23 June
1997)

* Somalia. Mouldy money  -  Somalia's banknotes are falling apart
but attempts to replace them are causing new problems. Ali Mahdi,
self-proclaimed President in North Mogadishu, tried to bring in new
notes five years ago; Somaliland President Mohamed Ibrahim Egal
introduced Somali shillings two years ago. Neither attracted
credibility. Now it's the turn of Hussein Aydeed, President in
South Mogadishu. Several million US dollars' worth of new 1,000-
Somali Shilling notes arrived on 4 June at Ballidogle airfield,
promptly causing a fight among militia units over distribution.
It's planned to bring in 40 mn. dollar's worth in all. Printing is
financed by loans to Aydeed through the Somali-Malaysian Commercial
Bank which opened in April. Malaysia, which contributed troops to
the United Nations operation till 1995, takes a considerable
interest in Somalia.   (Africa Confidential, U.K., 20 June 1997)

* Somalie. Un medecin MSF assassine  -  Un membre de Medecins sans
frontieres, le docteur Ricardo Marques, age de trente-cinq ans, a
ete abattu le 20 juin a l'hopital de Baidao, dans le centre de la
Somalie. MSF, qui n'a fourni aucune autre precision sur le meurtre
du medecin de nationalite portugaise, precise que sept membres de
l'ONG ont ete evacues apres l'incident.   (Le Monde, France, 24
juin 1997)

* Uganda. Rebel activity  -  19 June: The Ugandan army says it has
killed over 200 rebels of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in
fighting which has been raging since 16 June, when the rebels
overran Bundibugyo township in the west. The state-owned New Vision
reported that the rebels were killed during a battle to dislodge
them from the area. According to the newspaper, two senior local
policemen were also killed in the fighting. Also, the Ugandan
army's Fourth Division Commander, Col. James Kazini, has declared
new army deployment and mobilization strategies in a bid to end the
civil war in northern Uganda. According to the New Vision, he said
that the new strategies would mark the end of the war. He claimed
that Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in Uganda were no longer
receiving supplies from Sudan, because their headquarters had been
destroyed. However, according to the independent Monitor newspaper,
a senior army official claimed that the LRA has established three
new bases in southern Sudan after their original base in Aru was
destroyed by the SPLA. 24 June: The New Vision reports that
thousands of people have been evacuated from Bundibugyo to Fort
Portal yesterday, as fighting between rebels and government troops
intensifies. The situation in the area remains unclear.   (IRIN,
Kenya, 19 & 24 June 1997)

* United Nations. Human Development Index  -  The UNžs annual Human
Development Index has placed Rwanda and Burundi as the second and
seventh least developed countries respectively. Also in the bottom
third of the table are other countries of the region, notably Congo
(RDC), Tanzania, Sudan and Uganda. The Human Development Report
1997 notes that a quarter of the world's population is still living
in poverty reflecting "inexcusable failures" of national and
international policy. The greatest proportion of people below the
poverty line live in sub-Saharan Africa, where continuing conflict
in many countries and the rise in diseases such as AIDS/HIV
threaten to exacerbate the problem. The report proposed action
including conflict prevention, debt relief for developing countries
and further aid.   (IRIN, Kenya, 17 June 1997)

* Western Sahara. Towards a "face-to-face"  -  The first official
face-to-face talks in Lisbon on 23-25 June, between Polisario and
Morocco, on the UN referendum plan, are being hailed as a
breakthrough. Morocco had systematically refused direct
negotiations to overcome a six-year impasse over voter eligibility.
The change came after pressure from UN Secretary General Kofi
Annanžs Special Envoy, James Baker, who held separate talks with
both parties in London on 11-12 June. After telephoning King Hassan
II on the evening of 11 June, Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelatif
Fillali conceded to direct talks in Lisbon. Polisario's delegate,
Foreign Minister Bashir Mustafa Said, called Lisbon a "significant
step." Rabat down-played Lisbon as "technical discussion" like
previous unproductive bilateral meetings.(...)   (Africa
Confidential, U.K., 20 June 1997)

* World Bank. "Africa's crisis of governance"  -  Africa faces "a
crisis of governance" which cannot be resolved without
international help, the World Bank warns in its annual World
Development Report published on 25 June. "The majority of countries
in Sub-Saharan Africa now have lower capability (including state
capability) than they did at independence", says the 265-page
report. The report warns that without an effective state, economic
and social development is impossible. (...) Although the Bank
stresses that all states need to improve efficiency, its toughest
comments are reserved for Africa. "An institutional vacuum of
significant proportions has emerged in many parts of Sub-Saharan
Africa, leading to increased crime and an absence of security,
affecting investment and growth", says the report.   (Financial
Times, U.K., 26 June 1997)

* Zimbabwe. Levee de l'embargo sur l'ivoire  -  Lors'un premier
vote, le 17 juin, la levee complete de l'embargo sur le commerce de
l'ivoire n'a pas obtenu la majorite requise des deux tiers.
Cependant, le 19 juin, le Zimbabwe, le Botswana et la Namibie ont
obtenu le feu vert de la "Convention sur le commerce international
des especes menacees" (CITES) pour vendre leurs stocks d'ivoire.
Les autorites zimbabweennes declarent avoir un stock de plus de 30
tonnes d'ivoire, pour une valeur marchande d'environ 23 millions de
US $. La commercialisation de l'ivoire obtenue par les trois pays
est cependant assortie de conditions tres precises, dont un
moratoire de 18 mois. Un seul client, le Japon, pourra acheter
l'ivoire mais ne pourra pas le reexporter. Les adversaires de
l'assouplissement craignent un nouveau massacre des elephants par
des braconniers. La conference a par ailleurs decide de proteger le
rhinoceros. La reunion a Harare doit se cloturer le 20 juin.  
(ANB-BIA, de sources diverses, 20 juin 1997)

* Zimbabwe. CITES -- Ban on ivory sales ended  -  16 June: In
Harare, Zimbabwe, The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES), votes by a narrow margin to uphold the
international ban on ivory sales. 17 June: African and European
delegates meet to work out tight international controls to regulate
the sale of ivory and to agree on an 18-month moratorium on all
ivory sales. 18 June: The proposed amendments are enough to swing
opinion among the 136 CITES countries in favour of moving African
elephants from CITES Appendix 1 to Appendix 2, which permits
controlled trade. The proposal was carried by 74-21 with 24
abstentions. In practice, this means that Botswana, Namibia and
Zimbabwe will be allowed to resume controlled exports of ivory to
Japan from 1999. Thus, parties to CITES have voted in favour of
these three countries exporting small quantities from existing
stocks: 25.3 tonnes from Botswana, 13.8 tonnes from Namibia and 20
tonnes from Zimbabwe. This is a small proportion of an African
stock in excess of 500 tonnes. The ivory for sale was confiscated
from poachers and taken from elephants that died naturally or were
shot to protect humans. The money raised from the sale will be used
to build fences, aid conservation and compensate farmers whose
crops are devoured by the beasts.   (ANB-BIA, Brussels, 24 June
1997)

ATTENTION

L'adresse du site WEB de ANB-BIA a change depuis le 20 juin 1997.
Vous nous trouverez desormais a l'adresse suivante:

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PLEASE NOTE
Just a short message to inform you that ANB-BIA's WEB site address
has changed from 20 June 1997.
You will find us at the following address:

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instead of: //www.freeworld/peacelink/  etc.
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PaCo