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U.S. Representative McKinney Calls High Level Talks With Alliance of Democratic Forces "Extremely Successful"

May 13, 1997

As the new Zairian government begins to take shape, it is extremely important that Mr. Kabila understand the advantages of implementing democratic reforms and to having an open economy. Foreign aid and foreign investment can only occur in a free and democratic Zaire," asserted McKinney.

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Cynthia McKinney (D-4th-GA) arrived in Washington today from Zaire. While in Zaire, she met with Mr. Laurent Kabila, leader of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of the Republic of Congo-Zaire. Ms. McKinney's diplomatic mission stressed the need for political and economic stability in Central Africa -- especially Zaire. She strongly emphasized to Mr. Kabila the need for a commitment to free and fair elections and to gain a promise that human rights abuses against Rwandan refugees will stop immediately.

Rep. McKinney, traveling under authorization from the U.S. Department of State and the House International Relations Committee, met with Mr. Kabila on Saturday, May 11, 1997. (Rep. McKinney is the only African American woman on the House International Relations Committee.) The closed door session lasted more than one hour and proved "Very fruitful," according to an optimistic Rep. McKinney. The lively, but frank, conversation centered around U.S. interests in Zaire and humanitarian issues. McKinney delivered a strongly worded message to Mr. Kabila, indicating that refugee assistance and evacuation should be a "priority" for his new government. Furthermore, she stated that Kabila should mandate "safe passage" for refugees wanting to leave Zaire and return to Rwanda. She also stressed that aid workers should not be threatened but given protection. Reports in the Western press indicate that Kabila's forces had intimidated aid workers in the past. McKinney pushed for free and fair elections as soon as possible -- a two year time-frame would be the ideal. "This time frame would allow for a smooth transition of power," she said.

Mr. Kabila is on the verge of seizing power in Zaire after 32 years of dictatorial rule by U.S. sponsored President Mobutu Seso Seko. It is reported that Mr. Kabila's forces now control more than 85% of the land area of Zaire and he is amassing forces both East and West of the Capitol of Kinshasa. President Mobutu seized power after Patrice Lumumba, the democratically elected leader of Zaire, was reportedly assassinated by CIA operatives. Mobutu has a history of using U.S. supplied weapons and technology against his own people. Reports indicate that Mobutu used his position as President to strip Zaire of his country's vast natural resources and convert those resources into an immense personal fortune.

Rep. McKinney, the only African American woman on the International Relations Subcommittee on International Operations and Human Rights, indicated that her concern for Zaire, its people and the Rwandan refugees is consistent with her position as a proponent of human rights both in the United States and abroad. The reported human rights abuses and possible bloodshed over the Capitol of Kinshasa, made the need for the trip "Urgent," according to McKinney.

Zaire's importance to the United States and to the overall stability of the African continent cannot be overstated. Zaire is situated in the heart of Central Africa, is bordered by nine other countries and is roughly the size of Western Europe. Political and economic stability in Zaire could have a positive rippling effect across the rest of the African continent.

"The civil war in Zaire is nearing an end and reaching a very pivotal point. As the new Zairian government begins to take shape, it is extremely important that Mr. Kabila understand the advantages of implementing democratic reforms and to having an open economy. Foreign aid and foreign investment can only occur in a free and democratic Zaire," asserted McKinney.

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