Statement by the Press Secretary/Director-General for Press and Public Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

June 16, 2000

The Government of Japan is deeply concerned about the repeated outbreaks of fighting between the Ugandan Peoples Defense Force and the Rwandan Patriotic Army over the city of Kisangani in northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and a sign that the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC) is trying to advance toward a capital city of Kinshasa along the Ubangi River in the last few weeks. Such actions are a serious violation of the Ceasefire Agreement. Japan once again strongly calls on the parties concerned to implement sincerely the Ceasefire Agreement.
Japan stands in support of the early deployment of the second phase of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), based on UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1291. It is essential for the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to further cooperate with the activities of the MONUC. Japan is especially concerned that the MONUC office in Kinshasa was attacked by a crowd a few days ago.
Japan emphasizes the importance of the progress of the National Dialogue for the national reconciliation among the Congolese people. In this regard, Japan strongly hopes that the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo takes a cooperative stance toward the activities of neutral facilitator, Sir Ketumile Masire. Since the facilitator is faced with a serious shortage of funds, Japan emphasizes the importance of positive financial assistance by the international community for his activities. For the above purpose, Japan has already disbursed 300,000 US dollars to the UN Trust Fund for the Support of the Peace Progress in the DRC. Japan strongly hopes that the UN and facilitator Masire build a close and cooperative relationship and that Japan's contribution is used effectively to advance the Inter-Congolese dialogue.

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