Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the situation between Rwanda and DRC

The Secretary-General is very disturbed by the increasing tension between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, particularly by indications from Rwanda of military operations on DRC territory against ex-FAR/Interahamwe elements which Rwanda maintains is a threat to its security.

The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Rwanda to refrain from any military action on DRC territory, which would disrupt the vital transitional process in the DRC. He hopes that Rwanda will work within the established process for the disarming and repatriation of the remaining ex-FAR/Interahamwe elements still in DRC territory.

The Secretary-General also calls on the Government of the Republic of the Congo to intensify its efforts for disarming and repatriating such elements. He would expect that Rwanda would provide the DRC and the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC) with all information it may have on the location of such elements.

MONUC is prepared to activate immediately the Joint Verification Mechanism for the purpose of disarming and repatriating these groups.