February 2001 World Headlines

Wednesday, February 14, 2001 - Web posted at 9:00:16 AM GMT

UN says its peace plan for Congo has gathered pace

UNITED NATIONS - The UN says it will capitalise on a lull in fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo by sending a smaller peacekeeping force than it had planned to the vast central African nation, but deploying it far faster.

Jean-Marie Guehenno, the undersecretary-general in charge of peacekeeping, said the world body had to build on the longest period of subdued fighting in theDemocratic Republic of Congo since a 1999 ceasefire pact.

"We felt we had to exploit that window of opportunity.

We had to make sure thatthe UN would be standing ready to really provide an opportunity to the parties inthe conflict to go for peace now - the peace that the Congolese people have been waiting for," Guehenno said.

No date was given for their deployment, which will depend on when combatants pull back to positions worked out in a disengagement plan.

"It's too early to tell you that the lights are all green," Guehenno said.

- Nampa - Reuters