UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
9 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review
*Origin in French
In today's press, attention is again mostly focused on the on-going political transition process in the DRC.
In today's press, attention is again mostly focused on the on-going political transition process in the DRC.
'PALU says no to UDPS and M17,' reads the main headline in L'AVENIR, 'regarding the June 30 deadline.' 'In a letter to M17, PALU rejects the plan proposed by the UDPS-and M17, arguing that any demands must be in tune with the aspirations of the Congolese people.' L'AVENIR quotes PALU as insisting that 'the main concern of Congolese today is that elections be held, [and insisting that] any negotiations, any revision of the Constitution or power sharing, will not solve the crisis.'
On the same subject, LE PHARE, which carries the full text of PALU's declaration, quotes this party's secretary general as saying that 'this crisis cannot be settled by a simple revision of the Constitution aiming to allow for a prime minister to be appointed.'
'Neither the seminars nor the power-sharing negotiations nor the numerous fiery and vaguely critical declarations will do nothing to bring about elections,' writes the paper, quoting the declaration further.
'PALU is against any negotiations for their own sake' as this party ' sticks to June 30 date for elections,' reports LE FORUM DES AS, quoting the same declaration.
Referring to the electoral process and the issue on the feasibility of 'holding elections on June 30', L'OBSERVATEUR reports that 'The CIAT insists on the prerequisites', using the French acronym for International Committed In Support of the Transition. The CIAT met Thursday with the espace présidentiel (which is composed of the Congolese President and his four Vice-Presidents) to discuss 'issues related to the elaboration of the Constitution, the integration of the army and the situation in Ituri,' the paper notes. It quotes the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, William Swing, who heads the CIAT, as saying: 'There are still lots of things to do and these elections need to better be prepared. Let's not lose sight that the DRC elections will be the largest elections operation ever supervised by the United Nations. The country itself is the size of a sub-continent with no road infrastructures.'
Reporting on the same meeting, LE PALMARES mentions that 'the personalities in attendance appreciated the titanic work accomplished by the Bunia prosecutor toward returning peace to Ituri.' 'Concerning the pre-electoral work,' the paper observes, 'it was noted that the two chambers of Parliament had failed to meet their schedules. They were called upon to carry out these tasks as soon as possible.'
Also concerning the elections and the June 30 deadline, LE PALMARES calls on President 'Joseph Kabila to reassure the people' in this regard. According to the paper, 'With only 70 days left till the 30 June 2005 deadline, the President's point of view is very needed. Most people want to see the head of State speak out and enlighten the nation as to the government's will to organise elections before 30 June 2005; (that the President) should, for example, explain the deep reasons for a possible (election) postponement and whatever efforts are being to (eventually) meet the challenge.'
'The CEI (is) called upon to speak to the Parliament,' titles LA REFERENCE PLUS, using the French acronym for Independent Electoral Commission. 'In a political statement read out yesterday, the pro-Z'Ahidi political opposition requested the CEI to write to the National Assembly and Senate to denounce the crisis,' reports the paper, referring to political allies of Vice-President Arthur Z'Ahidi Ngoma. The paper adds, 'Key members of this group warned against any attempt to revisit the Global and All Inclusive Agreement.'
Outside Congolese political news, LE PALMARES refers to the Bush-Kagamé meeting, speculating that 'the US President will make Kagame quit using the Interahamwe as a pretext, as Kagame has always done. So, Rwanda is obliged to receive the ex-FAR and Interhamwe,' the paper concludes.
On the same subject, LE PHARE, which carries the full text of PALU's declaration, quotes this party's secretary general as saying that 'this crisis cannot be settled by a simple revision of the Constitution aiming to allow for a prime minister to be appointed.'
'Neither the seminars nor the power-sharing negotiations nor the numerous fiery and vaguely critical declarations will do nothing to bring about elections,' writes the paper, quoting the declaration further.
'PALU is against any negotiations for their own sake' as this party ' sticks to June 30 date for elections,' reports LE FORUM DES AS, quoting the same declaration.
Referring to the electoral process and the issue on the feasibility of 'holding elections on June 30', L'OBSERVATEUR reports that 'The CIAT insists on the prerequisites', using the French acronym for International Committed In Support of the Transition. The CIAT met Thursday with the espace présidentiel (which is composed of the Congolese President and his four Vice-Presidents) to discuss 'issues related to the elaboration of the Constitution, the integration of the army and the situation in Ituri,' the paper notes. It quotes the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, William Swing, who heads the CIAT, as saying: 'There are still lots of things to do and these elections need to better be prepared. Let's not lose sight that the DRC elections will be the largest elections operation ever supervised by the United Nations. The country itself is the size of a sub-continent with no road infrastructures.'
Reporting on the same meeting, LE PALMARES mentions that 'the personalities in attendance appreciated the titanic work accomplished by the Bunia prosecutor toward returning peace to Ituri.' 'Concerning the pre-electoral work,' the paper observes, 'it was noted that the two chambers of Parliament had failed to meet their schedules. They were called upon to carry out these tasks as soon as possible.'
Also concerning the elections and the June 30 deadline, LE PALMARES calls on President 'Joseph Kabila to reassure the people' in this regard. According to the paper, 'With only 70 days left till the 30 June 2005 deadline, the President's point of view is very needed. Most people want to see the head of State speak out and enlighten the nation as to the government's will to organise elections before 30 June 2005; (that the President) should, for example, explain the deep reasons for a possible (election) postponement and whatever efforts are being to (eventually) meet the challenge.'
'The CEI (is) called upon to speak to the Parliament,' titles LA REFERENCE PLUS, using the French acronym for Independent Electoral Commission. 'In a political statement read out yesterday, the pro-Z'Ahidi political opposition requested the CEI to write to the National Assembly and Senate to denounce the crisis,' reports the paper, referring to political allies of Vice-President Arthur Z'Ahidi Ngoma. The paper adds, 'Key members of this group warned against any attempt to revisit the Global and All Inclusive Agreement.'
Outside Congolese political news, LE PALMARES refers to the Bush-Kagamé meeting, speculating that 'the US President will make Kagame quit using the Interahamwe as a pretext, as Kagame has always done. So, Rwanda is obliged to receive the ex-FAR and Interhamwe,' the paper concludes.
