DRC, ROC, Angola discuss refugee issues

The DRC, Angola and Republic of Congo (ROC) have expressed concern over the large number of refugees on their territories. A joint communique signed by the three countries' interior ministers following a meeting in Kinshasa on Saturday also noted the presence of "hostile armed gangs" along their common borders. According to the communique, broadcast by DRC television, they decided to sign an accord with UNHCR aimed at planning joint visits to refugee camps and identifying those who wanted to repatriate voluntarily. Measures would be taken to avoid the camps being used as rear bases for "subversive activities" against the three countries. The three ministers also expressed concern over smuggling across the common borders and agreed to facilitate the free movement of goods and people. They also agreed to cooperate in training policemen in a bid to address the "threat" to their common borders.