From: rolf.martens@mailbox.swipnet.se (Rolf Martens) Subject: NEWS ON CONGO 038: President J. Kabila in interview Cc: Grace_Shields@mail.bankone.com, level2510@yahoo.ca, MufutaM@netscape.net, mabeluis@hotmail.com, francois.mangolpe@wanadoo.fr, ottaway@ceip.org, tshmgms@hotmail.com, kabamartin@hotmail.com, bandowe@mailcity.com, bricebetu@hotmail.com, sierakilos@altavista.com, Tmwamba@aol.com, awetu2@hotmail.com, Bakwluf@hotmail.com, scherer@paris.ensmp.fr, srilankajones@juno.com NEWS ON CONGO 038: President J. Kabila in interview [Posted: 23.03.01] NOTE: On websites with information on the DR Congo and for some contact addresses, see endnote last in this posting. The following interview, given in Kinshasa by the president of the DR Congo, Joseph Kabila, to Caroline Dumay of the French newspaper Le Figaro, was published by that paper today, Friday 23.03, as noted on the mailing list congokin_opinions by Joseph Shoyaka. Translation into English is by me. On the misinforma- tion inherent in some of the questions asked, no comment is made in the below. - RM Le Figaro: You have travelled to the United States and to Europe. Are your priorities those of letting the Congo emerge from its isolation and once more receive foreign aid? Joseph KABILA: The problem number one of the Congo today is to achieve peace. Since some time back, everybody is working in that direction in the Great Lakes region. The object of my travels was to explain to the international community the facts of the present conflict, those of the war of aggression which the Congolese are being subjected to. It's rather in that spirit that I have made these visits. Le Figaro: The combatants in the DR Congo on 15 March have started to withdraw in part their troups from the front lines. Are you satisfied with these first manoeuvres? Joseph KABILA: So far, yes. There are some positive develop- ments, and I have the impression that this will continue be- cause it seems that today, everybody is seeking peace. However, I cannot say that I am satisfied to 100%, since the country is still under occupation. The Ugandan, Rwandan and Burundian troops, which are still in our country, should not be there. But it is a good beginning. Le Figaro: Your enemies are complaining that your Zimbabwean and Angolan allies are still there. When will they leave? Joseph KABILA: The Zimbabweans, Angolans and Namibians are in the country since they were invited when we were occupied. As soon as the occupation of the country ceases, as soon as the enemy forces withdraw, the Zimbabweans, Namibians and others will go home too. Le Figaro: The authorities of Kigali and Bujumbura are saying that they have entered your country in order to protect their borders. What guarantees can you give them? Joseph KABILA: It is not the Congo that has created security problems in Rwanda or Burundi. Those problems of security which exist in these countries are internal problems. The in- ternational community, obviously, must play a vital role in re- assuring the Rwandans and Burundians. It must make them under- stand that it is not by occupying the DR Congo that they will solve their problems. It is at home that they must start fin- ding solutions. Even if one might co-operate with the invaders in order to try to find a cause, the Interhamwe problem is not a Congolese problem. Le Figaro: You have occasioned much hope by promising to start inter-Congolese dialogue. The parties of the opposition are waiting for concrete measures, in particular the abolition of the decree banning the activities of parties. Why is nothing happening? Joseph KABILA: In every country in the world, there are laws. The political parties - here as in Europe - must necessarily be controlled - if you will permit me to use that word, "con- trol". We are studying in what context these political parties may resume their activities. There were over 150 political par- ties in this country. I don't think that one should revert to a disorder like that, risking political anarchy. Le Figaro: At what level do you envisage this inter-Congolese dialogue? Joseph KABILA: It is rather [Botswanan] president Ketumile Ma- sire who holds the cards concerning this. He is taking his time, of course, in order to consult with everybody so that we can proceed as fast as possible with the dialogue. But I do not know his time-table. We are waiting for the conclusions of the presidency's facilitator. Le Figaro: You have promised the liberalisation of the diamond market. How is this proceeding? Joseph KABILA: The government is working on this question. There is a company, Idi Diamonds, with which the government is holding talks. We have to know how we could agree to liberalise a mar- ket on which they have a monopoly. This will take us two or three weeks, and then there will be results. This is in the in- terest of the country. It is necessary for us to combat the smuggling and to attract those investments which we need. But it is also in order that the riches of the Congo shall be there for the Congolese people, not for one or two people, or for one or two companies. Le Figaro: You have given some clear signals for change. What message would you like to convey? Joseph KABILA: The Congolese people must judge me for what I will do, not for what I will talk of or for speeches which I will hold. The Congolese have had too much of speeches in the last forty years. What is the most inmportant, that is what you will do and build up. At the moment, the social situation is catastrophic. The humanitarian situation also is catastrophic. It is on this that we must concentrate. Le Figaro: How do you judge the actions of your father? What is the situation concerning the investigation of his assassination? Joseph KABILA: It is not for me to judge the way in which my father led the country. As for the inquiry, the investigation continues. We will have the report in a week from now, and will then inform the Congolese people of it. Le Figaro: Generals who have come to power by force have re- tired with dignity in order to cede to democracy. What are your plans? Joseph KABILA: It is the Congolese people that will decide my destiny. It is not I. I would like to see the Congo united. I would like it not to be invaded any more. At the moment, that is my objective. We have lost almost two million Congolese in this war. One cannot accept such things. The international com- munity must demand the withdrawal of all those foreign troops. Le Figaro: You are not very well known. You are very discreet. How do you define yourself? Joseph KABILA: As a Congolese citizen. * * * ______________________________________________________________ "NEWS ON CONGO" postings bring statements by the Congo National Association in Sweden and the DR Congo Committee in Sweden and also reproduce information and analysis from other sources. [This endnote is being updated continually, in order to show readers where at the time they can best get information. Last update of this note: 23.03.2001.] Some websites with information in English and/or in French on the DR Congo: Official site of the DR Congo: (Since several months, impossible to reach; it may be down) Site of the DR Congo's Permanent Mission at the UN: (With much information, i.a. continually updated news in French and English) Great Lakes Press: Congolese League for Peace (abbr. LICOPA): Congo 2000: Two Belgium-based sites support the struggle of the DR Congo: and . Two other Belgium-based sites: ATMA and Congon- line (the last only for subscribers). An English-language website managed by Richard Alcorn, USA, with i.a. much material from August 1998 on from us supporters of the DR Congo in Sweden: (This site has no more recent material; last updated Nov. 1998) Africanews: NCN: (Managed by Ed Marek, formerly of the US Air Force. Often ap- parently well-informed and, of late, containing considerable criticism of the official US position on the aggression. Its informations should be treated with great caution anyway, ex- perience shows.) "Rebel" aggressor puppets, a site based in South Africa: Two discussions sites of interest: (Belgium-based. E-group discussions are in French and English. For participation, contact or .) and Some contact addresses: Congo National Association Box 5343 SE - 102 45 Stockholm Sweden Tel: +46 - 8 - 471 96 26 (chairman) +46 - 8 - 84 57 18 (facility) Fax: +46 - 8 - 751 26 06 DR Congo Committee (Chairman: Bony Ndjov-a-Shamalo) Box 17513 SE - 200 10 Malmoe Sweden Tel: +46 - 40 - 12 48 32 E-mail: congocomse@hotmail.com