Zaire rebels push forward.

ZAIREAN revolutionary forces are advancing to Lubumbashi, the second largest
city in the country and they have vowed to fight on until General Mobuto
steps down. But back in the capital, Kinshasha, the ailing dictator has said
he is now ready to share power with the rebel Alliance of Democratic Forces
for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire.

 General Mobuto looked frail and weak on his return to Zaire last week after
two months cancer treatment in the south of France. Few doubt that his
return has been prompted by his Western mentors anxious to reach a
negotiated settlement with the rebel movement which is sweeping all before it.

 But his call for talks, after a ceasefire, has been rejected by the rebels.
Zairean revolutionary leader Laurent Kabila told cheering crowds in
Kisangani that he will not quit fighting until General Mobuto is defeated.

 Addressing thousands ata rally in the recently liberated city he said: "Do
you want a ceasfire?". The crowd hissed and shouted: "No!" and chanted "Keep
on going, keep on going,".

 "There won't be a ceasefire before negotiations. That is it." Kabila replied.
The rebels are now just 200 km from Luburnbashi and advance units are
heading towards the diamond-trading city of MbujiMayi.

 The Zairean army has vanished and the collapse of the regime seems
inevitable now.

 One of the leaders of Mobuto's Popular Revolutionary Movement Banza
Mukalayi, has called for talks with the rebel Alliance for the formation ofa
transitional government in advance of democratic elections which is the
major demand of the rebel movement.

But the Alliance is insisting thatMobuto first goes now and so far he's
refused to consider it.

 Over a thousand Western troops, from Belgium, France and the United States
have sent to Brazzaville, the capital of the neighbouring Congolese
Republic, allegedly to help evacuate their nationals from the Zairean
capital, Kinshasha, which lies just across the Congo river.

 France, Belgium and the United States are backing diplomatic efforts to get
a ceasefire and they have backed calls for a transitional coalition
government. But Kabila has warned that the Western build-up is nothing more
than a neo-colonial attempt to intimidate the democratic forces, who now
control a quarter of the central African country.
New Communist Party of Britain Homepage

http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/2853

A news service for the Working Class!

Workers of all countries Unite!