From irin@dha.unon.org Wed Nov 13 14:04:26 1996 Date: Mon, 11 Nov 1996 22:03:41 +0300 (GMT+0300) From: UN DHA IRIN - Great Lakes To: irinwire@dha.unon.org Subject: Zaire: UNSG talks with Kengo wa Dondo 11 November 1996 96.11.11 UNITED NATIONS Statement attributable to the Spokeswoman for the Secretary General The Spokeswoman for the Secretary-General made the following statement at Rome on 11 November, 1996 at 1330: This morning the Secretary-General had an extended telephone conversation with the President of the Council of the government of Zaire, Mr Leon Kengo Wa Dondo, on the urgent need to provide humanitarian assistance to refugees and others displaced by the conflict in Eastern Zaire. The Secretary-General said there had been a positive exchange of views, with the President of the Council declaring his willingness to cooperate with the United Nations to facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance. The Secretary-General then informed the UN Coordinator of Humanitarian Assistance for the Great Lakes Region, Mr Sergio Vieira de Mello, of the outcome of his conversation with the President of the Council. Mr Vieira de Mello who is currently in Kinshasha will meet with senior Zairean officials to arrange the details of delivering humanitarian assistance into Eastern Zaire. The Secretary-General hopes these efforts will bring quick results but recognises that the extreme security situation demands a multinational force in the region to create conditions for a humanitarian operation in an area where there are currently more than one million refugees and displaced persons. ends [Via the UN DHA Integrated Regional Information Network "Wire" mailing list. The material contained in this communication may not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations or its agencies. UN DHA IRIN Tel: +254 2 622123 Fax: +254 2 622129 e-mail: irin@dha.unon.org for more information. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer.]