SA reconnaissance team in DRC

A South African military reconnaissance team was due to arrive in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Wednesday to discuss South Africa's participation in UN peacekeeping operations. A spokesman for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) told IRIN on Wednesday that the team was expected back in South Africa on 12 June and that they would brief SANDF and government officials about their visit. The eight-member tactical team is made up of senior logistics, technical, air force and personnel officers. The issues they will examine include catering, accommodation, communication and medical facilities that would be made available to the South Africans and what the South Africans would have to provide for themselves. Major-General Andre Bestbier, director of joint operations division was quoted as saying: "We need to liase with UN headquarters and assess the requirements right down to laundry and cleaning services, so that when our people arrive, all the nuts and bolts have been sorted out." Meanwhile, diplomatic sources told IRIN that team was also likely to inspect various sites for any possible SANDF combat troop deployment in the DRC.