Kagame In Talks With Mugabe

HARARE, MONDAY - Rwandan President Paul Kagame began talks here Monday with his Zimbabwean counterpart Robert Mugabe on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where their troops back opposite sides in a regional war. "The talks are expected to centre on the search for peace in the DRC," state radio said. Kagame, making a surprise visit to Harare, was met at the airport by Mugabe and several cabinet ministers, a witness there said. The visit had not been announced by authorities. Kagame was accompanied by foreign minister Andre Bumaya and military, information and diplomatic officials. Rwandan presidential sources said Kagame would return to Kigali immediately the meeting with Mugabe ended. Rwanda and Uganda invaded the DRC in August 1998, backing rebels trying to overthrow the government of then president Laurent Kabila. Kagame and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the military foray was to quash militia whose rear bases in the DRC were a threat to their countries' security. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia have fought on behalf of the government, now led by Kabila's son, Joseph Kabila. Under Joseph Kabila, who replaced his slain father in late January, a long-moribund ceasefire has finally begun to take hold in the DRC, with the deployment of UN troops who will protect military observers. Joseph Kabila who succeeded his assassinated father Laurent, revived hopes of restoring peace when he toured western countries in February, met Kagame in Washington, and pledged his support for the Lusaka deal. Ends