/ 6 March 2002

DRC DELEGATES BURY THE HATCHET

PEACE talks on the Democratic Republic of Congo resumed here Wednesday morning with a plenary session after rival parties resolved a dispute over representation. The first plenary session of the so-called Inter-Congolese dialogue finally opened eight days late, after rebels late Tuesday agreed to allow opposition politicians to take part in the process, said Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD) representative Thomas Nziratimana. Rebels and the government agreed that their delegations would be increased from 55 to 68 to give them the same representation as opposition parties, he said. The Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC), which had boycotted the talks since February 25, on Wednesday came to the negotiating table following the compromise deal. – AFP