Belgian Minister Upbeat About Peace In DR Congo

Louis Michel (pictured left), the Belgian foreign minister, yesterday said he was optimistic the new government in Kinshasa will seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reports Emmy Allio. "We are expecting hopeful signs from Kinshasa, maybe quickly or later. But I am hopeful," the minister told the press on arrival at Entebbe Airport. About 20 Belgian journalists are accompanying him. Michel, who was met by his Ugandan counterpart, Eriya Kategaya, and Belgium ambassador to Uganda, Mr. Carl Peters, held talks with Jean Pierre Bemba, the leader of the Congolese Liberation Front (CLF). Michel's visit to Uganda was the last leg of his Great Lakes region tour that took him to Zimbabwe, Namibia, Angola, Rwanda and Congo where he attended Tuesday's burial of assassinated Congolese president Laurent Kabila. "I have made this trip to try to get good information and reach all the parties and tell them to prefer peace to a win-win situation," Michel said. He said it was bad to profit out of sad events, like the death of Kabila, and added that there was need to analyse the situation and work towards peace. He said Belgium was taking seriously the proposal by the President of Congo Brazzaville, Denis Sassou Ngweso, of enlarging the team of former Botswana president Katumile Masire who is facilitating the Inter-Congolese dialogue. He said the presidents of Senegal and Gabon were good choices on the team. Ends