Kinshasa wants timetable for Ugandan pull-out

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) asked Uganda on Thursday to provide a detailed timetable for the withdrawal of its troops in the country, the UN Mission in the DRC, MONUC, reported. MONUC issued the statement in Bunia, the principal town of Ituri District, northeastern DRC, following a meeting between its officials and those of the DRC, Ugandan and Angolan governments. "Uganda reaffirmed its willingness to put into effect the withdrawal of all UPDF [Uganda People's Defence Forces] troops by 24 April 2003," MONUC said. "The Ugandan delegation indicated however its wish for the deployment of an international force in Ituri to replace the UPDF, in order to avoid any security vacuum," it added. The Ituri Pacification Commission, which was set up to look at ways of ending insecurity in Ituri, agreed on Sunday to the formation of a provisional assembly and other steps to halt the violence. The commission made clear that Ugandan troops had agreed to start their withdrawal on 24 April. MONUC said the DRC also insisted on the deployment of an international force in Ituri as well as the national Congolese police. MONUC said that an assessment of the security context of Ituri was being studied and that the recommendations would be submitted to UN headquarters. "In addition, MONUC would ensure logistical conditions in Bunia and in the region with the aim of possible deployment of an international force," MONUC said.