From irin@dha.unon.org Wed Nov 13 13:49:10 1996 Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 22:42:43 +0300 (GMT+0300) From: UN DHA IRIN - Great Lakes To: irinwire@dha.unon.org Subject: Zaire: Press Statement by the Regional Summit 5 Nov 1996 96.11.5 Press Statement by the Regional Summit on the Crisis in Eastern Zaire 1. At the invitation of President Daniel T. arap Moi, Presidents Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Frederick Chiluba of Zambia, Pasteur Bizimungu of Rwanda, Isaias Afewerki of Eritrea, Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia and Ferdinand Oyono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cameroon, representing HE Paul Biya, Chairman of OAU met on 5th November, 1996, in Nairobi, to deliberate on the conflict in Eastern Zaire. 2. Also participating in the summit were the Secretary General OAU, Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim and Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Facilitator of the Peace Process. 3. The Summit examined recent developments in Eastern Zaire, resulting in arrmed confrontation and expressed its grave concern at the deteriorating situation in that area and the threat posed to peace and stability in the entire Great Lake's region, border incursions and the threat posed to peace and stability in the entire Great Lakes' region. 4. The Summit reaffirmed the commitment and solidarity of the countries in the region for the concern about the escalation of the conflict and agreed that an immediate cease-fire should be effected and strictly observed to enable the intensification of diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace. 5. The Summit reaffirmed its commitment to the territorial integrity of Zaire in accordance with the OAU Charter and in particular, the Cairo Declaration of 1964 on territorial integrity and inviolability of national boundaries as inherited at independence and called for non-intervention and an end to cross- border incursions. 6. The Summit further reaffirmed the inalienable rights of all people within the internationally recognized territorial boundaries as stipulated in the OAU Charter on Human and People's Rights and other international conventions relevant to the right of citizenship and nationality. 7. Taking cognisance of the plight of the refugees in Eastern Zaire, the regional Summit called for the immediate setting up of safe corridors and temporary sanctuaries inside Zaire to facilitate humanitarian assistance and the repatriation of refugees. 8. The Summit called for the intensification of efforts towards voluntary repatriation of refugees to Rwanda, to enable the success of this effort the Summit called for the implementation of the long standing decision to separate the intimidators and bonafide refugees. 9. The Summit requested the UN Security Council to take urgent measures to ensure the establishment of the safe corridors and temporary sanctuaries by deploying a neutral force. In this connection, the Summit called upon the UN Secretary General to work closely with the OAU Secretary General towards the realisation of this objective, the Summit requested the Secretary General of the OAU to closely follow up the implementation of this decision. The Summit affirmed the readiness of the sub-region to make its own contribution to that effect. 10. The Summit directed their ministers for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and the representative of OAU Chairman to closely follow up the decisions of the Summit. 11. The Summit mandated the foreign ministers to visit Zaire to convey the decisions of this summit. 12. The regional Summit expressed its appreciation to President Daniel T. arap Moi for playing host to the Summit on the crisis in Zaire, in Nairobi and to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya, for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to the delegations. Done at Nairobi, Kenya on 5th November, 1996 [Transcribed verbatim by UN DHA IRIN, Nairobi.] [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.]