/ 12 May 2000

KABILA PROMISES TRANSITIONAL PARLIAMENT

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo President Laurent Kabila said that a transitional parliament will be inaugurated on July 1. Speaking to members of civil society and politicians, Kabila said a 300-member constituent assembly will be set up under his long-stalled democratization program. He said in the speech, which was broadcast over state radio, that he will transfer many of his powers to the assembly, which will have 300 deputies. Kabila has held legislative powers by decree since he toppled the Zairean dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997, but plans to set up the assembly may be hampered by the warring factions in DRC.