SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES RESUMPTION OF INTER-CONGOLESE DIALOGUE IN SUN CITY
The following statement was issued today by the Office of the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General welcomes the opening of the meeting of the inter-Congolese dialogue in Sun City on 25 February.� Following a successful preparatory meeting in Gaborone, and the official opening of the dialogue in Addis Ababa, the Sun City meeting represents a unique opportunity for the Congolese parties to engage in substantive political discussion and agree on a new political dispensation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Secretary-General urges all the Congolese parties to the dialogue, invited by the Facilitator, to attend the meeting and to participate in its proceedings in a constructive spirit.� The Congolese parties have a primary responsibility in ensuring the success of the dialogue.
The Secretary-General commends the Facilitator and his team for their tireless efforts to ensure that the process is open, representative and as inclusive as possible.� He reiterates his strong support for the work of the Facilitator and calls on all the parties to fully cooperate with him.
The Secretary-General thanks the donor countries for their support and commends the Government of South Africa for hosting the upcoming session of the dialogue.
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