Contacts:
Dr. Alafuele M. Kalala
Mr. Rohan Carney
Phone: (202) 463-9373
Fax: (202) 463-9374
Email: cdzcrm@freewwweb.com

Washington, DC - As the conflict broadens and engulfs greater stretches of the Congo, the greater the need for the involvement of the international community.  The international community can and should play a constructive role that will help in bringing peace and stability to the Great Lakes region.  In fact, we call on the international community to support the proposal made by the RNS last year for an international conference on Congo-Zaire.  Such a forum would create the environment to fully address the problems of the Congo and develop the necessary international guarantees to any efforts for a peaceful settlement to the Great Lakes crisis.

The RNS invites all individuals and institutions interested in the Congo to give consideration to and support of the resolutions issued from the First International Conference on the Reconstruction of Congo-Zaire organized by the RNS in Washington, DC in October 1997.

The resolutions were supported by all the major Congolese political parties and the over 30 Congolese organizations who attended the Conference.  The resolutions define the parameters that need to be taken into account for any workable solutions to the crisis.  The Conference aimed at achieving a national and international consensus which is a must for any long-term solution in the Congo.