UNITED States President George Bush called his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki at the weekend and the two leaders are planning to meet. Mbeki’s office says the two touched on the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as they spoke about “matters of mutual interest.” SABC public radio reported that Bush acknowledged the role of Mbeki, who this week met with new DRC President Joseph Kabila, in bringing peace and stability to Africa. Bush reportedly also assured Mbeki that ties between South Africa and the US would be strengthened.