From: barnhart@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Mr. Aaron Barnhart)
Subject: IPS:ZAIRE: PRESSURE ON MOBUTU SET TO INTENSIFY IN 1993
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 23:09:57 GMT
Organization: Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A.

Copyright Inter Press Service 1993, all rights reserved.  Permission to re-
print within 7 days of original date only with permission from 'newsdesk'.

Title: ZAIRE: PRESSURE ON MOBUTU SET TO INTENSIFY IN 1993


kinshasa, jan 4 (ipstichaindepi hwacha) -- the recent decision
by the parliament of the european community (ec) to seize
zairean president mobutu sese seko's assets in europe could see
western governments playing a greater role to resolve the crisis
in this country.

the resolution to confiscate mobutu's assets was made dec. 17
following reports from the european commission that much of the
zairean leader's wealth has been acquired through the conversion
of public funds during his 27-year rule.

however, the decision to seize the dictator's ill-begotten
wealth was also largely motivated by the need to increase
pressure on him to prevent a democratic process taking its
course.

lately, mobutu has has been employing every dirty trick in
the book to block the democratic process in this former belgian
colony of 35 million people.

the 63-year-old leader has hitherto paid little heed to
recent calls from his former allies -- belgium, france and the
united states -- to stop sabotaging strides toward democracy
which aim to end the country's lingering grave political and
economic crisis.

mobutu resists formation of a new transition government by
prime minister etienne tshisekedi who was popularly elected by
the sovereign national conference for democratic reforms in
august.

although his former allies have all cut aid to his country
in a bid to destroy the monster they created by backing him for
years, they remain hesitant to take further coercive action
to force him to relinquish power.

belgian foreign minister willy claes announced last
month his country was considering military action to prevent the
deterioration of the already tense situation in zaire.

but the belgian foreing ministry was quick to dilute the
announcement with a statement saying the situation in zaire did
not justify such an intervention.

a western diplomat, who spoke condition of anonymity, told
ips here there were signs of pressure on mobutu intensifying in
1993, particularly with the entry of u.s president-elect bill
clinton into the white house.

but he ruled out military intervention because, he said,
african governments often resented what they perceived as
patronage by the west. (more/ips)


zaire: pressure (2)

during a visit to brussels in october, zaire's foreign
minister pierre lumbi appealed for international assistance to
help rebuild his country's shattered economy.

however, he was unequivocal about the fact that zaire did not
need any foreign presence to restore order.

but the western diplomat said the tense situation in the
country, despite the added impact of drought, could deteriorate
into a somalia-like situation in which western governments would
be called upon to foot the bill.

''ultimately we are going to pay the bill for what is
happening in zaire, just like we are doing in somalia today.
africans need to talk for themselves, they need to say what they
want and stick by it'', the diplomat told ips.
(end/ips/tvh/apc/93)
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