{UAH} MEANWHILE DURING HIS SOJOURN, MUSEVENI TWISTS KABILA'S NECK

Europe should not encourage Kabila to ignore his opponents – President Museveni

President Yoweri Museveni has said European powers should not
encourage President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo
to ignore his opponents, warning that they risk becoming part of the
problem rather than the solution.

"Bemba is in jail in Europe, Lubanga is in jail in Europe, Ntaganda is
in jail in Europe and you are adding more. Politically what are you
doing? You can't say you have failed to manage your people and are
surrendering them to another country," he said.

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo was arrested near Brussels on 24 May 2008 on
the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal
Court, Thomas Lubanga Dyilo led the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC)
and was a key player in the Ituri conflict (1999–2007), Bosco Ntaganda
the military chief of staff of the National Congress for the Defense
of the People (CNDP) all are under the ICC in the Hague.

The President was yesterday evening meeting the Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium Didier Reynders and the
Minister for Development and Cooperation of Belgium Jean Pascal
Labille at his residency at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York.

The President who is in New York for the 68th United Nations General
Assembly was optimistic that the Kampala talks to resolve the conflict
in the Eastern DRC are on track, saying they have dealt with most of
the contentious issues on the table and that they needed to deal with
the issues of integration including the local problems of Banyarwanda
speakers in Congo.

"President Kabila is the one to resolve this now not us. The demands
of the M23 group are no longer a problem. He can agree to this and
remain with a narrow frontline. The solution for M23 should be to talk
when dealing with this kind of problem," he said.

The President emphasized that in an effort to seek a lasting solution
to the problem, they should not focus on individuals but rather on a
criteria to sought issues and also provide for rehabilitating and
reintegration of some groups.

"The solution is to put a criteria in place where anybody can pass by
it to be accommodated and those who don't be retired with benefits,"
he said.

The President said despite the challenges trade at the borders was
going on and he called on development partners to support
infrastructure development such as electricity expansion, bridges,
roads etc.

"You can support micro projects at the border like bridges,
electricity etc but the mega one would be the railway lines between
Uganda, Rwanda and DRC Kisangani. That would be the real boost. There
is no alternative except for all the leaders to meet and work together
on this," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders said there is need for the
regional leaders to meet and discuss the priorities for the region
including discussing trade, infrastructure, peace and security. He
said the issue of refuges and their repatriation is also key.
"There is need to promote social economic development now. Without
regional integrating, it would be difficult to stabilize the region
and promote cross border trade and development," he said.

Robert Atuhairwe
--
"TRY TO GROW UP!"