Diverting resources from long-term reconstruction and essential health and education needs is one of the most troubling things that I have ever seen in my career in diplomacy. Holbrooke led a special Security Council mission to the DRC in May in an effort to bolster the imperiled Lusaka peace process. The council set aside June 15-16 to meet with the Lusaka signatories. The ambassador said that not only do many problems remain regarding DRC, but they have became more serious recently.
Leadership can make a difference.
Thank you, Mr. Secretary-General, for joining us today. It is always an honor to have two presidents in the room. I take your presence in the room as of enormous significance to all of us. I want to express to you, Ambassador Levitte, Mr. President, our country's very great appreciation for the leadership that you and France have taken on behalf of peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I thank all of our friends and colleagues from the Lusaka Process, who hosted us with such graciousness and generosity on May 6 and 7, for again making the long journey to New York.