UN
United Nations Peacekeeping
6 Mar
2009
DRC Press Review for October 15, 2004
*Original in French
The issue on the sharing of posts in state-owned companies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to receive media attention this Friday.
The issue on the sharing of posts in state-owned companies in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to receive media attention this Friday.
The die has not yet been cast on the sharing of posts in state-owned companies, claims LE POTENTIEL, which announces the case is now in the hands of the International Committee To Support the Transition (ICST). The latter has taken note of Jean-Pierre Bemba, the Vice President of the Republic and MLC President's request for ICST arbitration on the sharing of posts in joint ventures and in the lower levels of provincial administration, says the paper, quoting a statement released by the ICST after its ordinary meeting of October 14, 2004. 'The ICST announces that it will undertake consultations with the components and entities in order to find a workable consensus among the parties in a climate of mutual confidence,' reports the paper, adding that the ICST will see to it that 'these consultations lead quickly to tangible, and lasting, results in order not to jeopardize the smooth running of the transition and the holding of elections within the normal timeline as expected by the Congolese population.'
Commenting on the World Bank Resident Representative in the DRC's position on this issue, FORUM DES AS says Mr. Onno Ruhl 'sets the record straight.' According to the paper, Mr. Ruhl, as a legalist, insists on respect of the criteria defined in Annex II of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement. These criteria include possessing integrity, competence and experience among other things. As the World Bank Resident Representative is quoted, 'the appointment of managers should be carried out bearing in mind the need to support the struggle against poverty in the DRC and the country's growth and development.' Mr. Ruhl stressed the importance of selecting competent, capable and honest people to run state-owned companies, says the paper, noting that Mr. Ruhl was more concerned with these criteria being met by the future managers than with their manner of appointment. Mr. Ruhl's position 'is in tune with President Kabila's concerns,' FORUM DES AS concludes.
In a similar vein, L'AVENIR titles 'i>The World Bank sides with Joseph Kabila.' 'For the Resident Representative of this international financial institution, Congolese have a choice to make if they still count on the support of the World Bank, which is not keen on pouring money into economic entities transformed into political entities,' the paper writes.
Opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi has adopted a 'rather wise position' on this issue, LE PALMARES notes. According to the paper, the leader of the Union pour la Démocratie et le Développement Social (UDPS) 'agrees with Joseph Kabila in regard to the competence criterion that guarantees sound management. But taking into account the spirit of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement, he advocates the sharing of responsibilities, but insists that the new managers should be selected from inside each company, among those who have moved up the ladder and possess experience and technical competence.'
The International Committee To Support the Transition (ICST) has received the latest report on audit of state-owned companies conducted jointly by the Revenue Court, the General Tax Inspectorate, the High Council for State-Owned Companies and the Permanent Accounting Council, LE PHARE announces. According to the paper, this report confirms 'the damning diagnosis made recently by the head of State when he spoke of predatory management.' As quoted by the paper, the report speaks of such malpractices as 'the lack of statutory structures; the arbitrary fixing of remuneration; the interference of directors in day-to-day management; and the organisation of missions for directors and the Board of directors Chairman by allowing them leave packages as if they were contract workers.' Other abnormalities include 'union's meeting costs reaching a record 211,000 US dollars; provisions for running costs being paid to private companies; excessively high indebtedness running into millions of dollars; the lack of written proofs;, the disregard of legislation pertaining to remuneration and benefits for directors and to personnel management.'
A group of 170 Congolese officers undergoing training in Belgium returned to Kinshasa Thursday, one week ahead of time, announces L'OBSERVATEUR. According to the paper, Belgian and Congolese authorities had decided this early return, after the defection of a dozen trainees. Quoting the Belgian press, the paper says that 'some of these people, in fact, were not soldiers, but paid for their enrolment in this training, organised by the Belgian army, in order to clandestinely immigrate to Europe.'
LA REFERENCE PLUS refers to a confused situation in Katanga province where the Maï Maï are said to have taken control over the locality of Kilwa. 'After occupying the locality, which they have declared 'liberated territory', they show their determination to liberate the rest of Katanga,' reports the paper, adding that the heavily armed assailants are estimated to be about 200 in number. 'Several hundred FARDC troop reinforcements have been sent to the town that is located a few kilometres from Pweto,' the paper goes on saying.
Commenting on the World Bank Resident Representative in the DRC's position on this issue, FORUM DES AS says Mr. Onno Ruhl 'sets the record straight.' According to the paper, Mr. Ruhl, as a legalist, insists on respect of the criteria defined in Annex II of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement. These criteria include possessing integrity, competence and experience among other things. As the World Bank Resident Representative is quoted, 'the appointment of managers should be carried out bearing in mind the need to support the struggle against poverty in the DRC and the country's growth and development.' Mr. Ruhl stressed the importance of selecting competent, capable and honest people to run state-owned companies, says the paper, noting that Mr. Ruhl was more concerned with these criteria being met by the future managers than with their manner of appointment. Mr. Ruhl's position 'is in tune with President Kabila's concerns,' FORUM DES AS concludes.
In a similar vein, L'AVENIR titles 'i>The World Bank sides with Joseph Kabila.' 'For the Resident Representative of this international financial institution, Congolese have a choice to make if they still count on the support of the World Bank, which is not keen on pouring money into economic entities transformed into political entities,' the paper writes.
Opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi has adopted a 'rather wise position' on this issue, LE PALMARES notes. According to the paper, the leader of the Union pour la Démocratie et le Développement Social (UDPS) 'agrees with Joseph Kabila in regard to the competence criterion that guarantees sound management. But taking into account the spirit of the Global and All Inclusive Agreement, he advocates the sharing of responsibilities, but insists that the new managers should be selected from inside each company, among those who have moved up the ladder and possess experience and technical competence.'
The International Committee To Support the Transition (ICST) has received the latest report on audit of state-owned companies conducted jointly by the Revenue Court, the General Tax Inspectorate, the High Council for State-Owned Companies and the Permanent Accounting Council, LE PHARE announces. According to the paper, this report confirms 'the damning diagnosis made recently by the head of State when he spoke of predatory management.' As quoted by the paper, the report speaks of such malpractices as 'the lack of statutory structures; the arbitrary fixing of remuneration; the interference of directors in day-to-day management; and the organisation of missions for directors and the Board of directors Chairman by allowing them leave packages as if they were contract workers.' Other abnormalities include 'union's meeting costs reaching a record 211,000 US dollars; provisions for running costs being paid to private companies; excessively high indebtedness running into millions of dollars; the lack of written proofs;, the disregard of legislation pertaining to remuneration and benefits for directors and to personnel management.'
A group of 170 Congolese officers undergoing training in Belgium returned to Kinshasa Thursday, one week ahead of time, announces L'OBSERVATEUR. According to the paper, Belgian and Congolese authorities had decided this early return, after the defection of a dozen trainees. Quoting the Belgian press, the paper says that 'some of these people, in fact, were not soldiers, but paid for their enrolment in this training, organised by the Belgian army, in order to clandestinely immigrate to Europe.'
LA REFERENCE PLUS refers to a confused situation in Katanga province where the Maï Maï are said to have taken control over the locality of Kilwa. 'After occupying the locality, which they have declared 'liberated territory', they show their determination to liberate the rest of Katanga,' reports the paper, adding that the heavily armed assailants are estimated to be about 200 in number. 'Several hundred FARDC troop reinforcements have been sent to the town that is located a few kilometres from Pweto,' the paper goes on saying.
