Kinshasa, Jan 11 (Prensa Latina) The Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States resumed military cooperation with the training of Congolese soldiers by the latter under decision of President George W. Bush and his Congo counterpart Joseph Kabila.
Local press indicated that such collaboration was halted in 1990 because of the student massacre at Lubumbashi University Campus. At the time, the continued military training was conditioned by acceptance of an international investigation commission, which rejected by President Mobutu Sese Seko.
Diplomatic sources consider this collaboration a channel to reinforce US presence in Central Africa, scene of several other conflicts, namely that of the Great Lakes involving Congo (Kinshasa), Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, among others.
The observers are still to determine what will be the US role in this conflict in dealing with the Congolese neighbors and in restoring peace in the area, since adopting a future position could discourage future arrogant and provocative attitudes.
The experts also think the US decision would be incomplete without incorporating Belgian, French and British wishes to help restore a professional national army in the Congo.
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