Press Review of 12 June 2006

Today's local press mainly focuses on the UN Security Council's visit to DRC. Besides, the local press comments upon the UN Security Council's message conveyed by Ambassador Jean-Marc De La Sablière in support of the DRC electoral process.

Le Potentiel (Pro-opposition) quotes Ambassador Jean Marc De La Sablière, chief of the UN Security Council's delegation as warning "elections must be held on 30 July 2006." The UN delegation has conferred with President Kabila and the four Vice-Presidents, the heads of the Independent Electoral Commission CEI, the High Media Authority, CIAT, the representatives of political parties' platform and the civil society, says the paper, indicating, there is therefore no more illusions as to holding the elections. "The electoral process has reached a point of no-return and elections will definitely be held on 30 July 2006," highlights Le Potentiel. The paper rules out the possibility of "holding political talks before the elections."

The paper says without UDPS participation in the different polls, "it is most likely that we will have some heated moments." Le Potentiel says serious problems will start erupting after the elections. The paper wonders "how long the International Community will stay in the DRC and securitize the country?"

Echoing the UN Security Council's statement, L'Observateur, (pro-PPRD, president Kabila's party) says "The United Nations will make every effort so that the elections are held on 30 July 2006," since this is the "only alternative left."

Highlighting that there will be no political talks before the elections, L'Avenir (pro-PPRD) reveals "those advocating the holding of political talks before the elections expected Jean Marc De La Sablière to ask President Kabila to approve their request. They are trying to get the UN Security Council to believe that some candidates and political parties were excluded from the process by the Independent Electoral Commission CEI, says L'Avenir, indicating, "The UN Security Council is aware that no one was excluded... Those who are outside the process today did exclude themselves; the UN Security Council knows Tshisekedi well and are aware of his inflexibility despite a different context."

Le Phare (pro-UDPS, opposition party) highlights the importance of "having smooth transition." The paper further says UDPS of Etienne Tshisekedi filed a memo to the French Embassy informing that "there will be no elections in the DRC without UDPS participation."