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CAR: Visit of Central African President Bozizé in the Democratic Republic of Congo

29 Aug 2007

Dear All,

Please find below the latest developments related to the International Criminal
Court's investigation in Central Africa Republic (CAR); and in particular, news
of CAR President Bozize's recent visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo
(DRC).

Included below are reports surrounding Président Bozizé's visit during which he
indicated that the complaint that CAR filed against Jean-Pierre Bemba was never
dropped. He also announced the reopening of the CAR border with DRC and said he
was 'surprised' to see former rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine refusing the post
of presidential advisor.

Please note that all translations from the French are unofficial and have been
prepared by CICC Secretariat staff.

Please also take note of the Coalition's policy on situations before the ICC
(below), which explicitly states that the CICC will NOT take a position on
potential or pending situations before the Court. The Coalition, however, will
continue to provide the most up-to-date information about the ICC.

Regards,

Linda Gueye
CICC Communications
[email protected]

-----------------------------------------------------------

I. COMPLAINT FILED BY CAR AGAINST JP BEMBA NEVER DROPPED

According to an article from Xinhua Agency, President Bozize indicated that the
complaint filed by CAR to the ICC against former DRC vice-president Jean Pierre
Bemba for crimes committed by rebels of his movement (MLC- Movement for the
liberation of Congo) was never dropped. The CAR president has stated that the
ICC's silence on this question is due to the slow pace of justice and has added
that the ICC required time to do its work.

Another article from the Congolese newspaper "Le Phare" explains that CAR is
waiting impatiently; that Jean Pierre Bemba should be brought before the ICC to
address his presumed implication in the rapes, pillages, killings and other
human rights violations committed by his troops in 2002 in Bangui.

See the articles below:

1. La plainte déposée à la CPI par la République Centrafricaine contre
l'ex-vice-président Bemba n'a jamais été retirée - Xinhua Agency - 24 août 2007
-
http://www.jeuneafrique.com/pays/centrafrique/article_depeche.asp?art_cle=XIN700
27laplaeriter0 (French)
2. François Bozizé ayant confirmé la plainte de Bangui devant la CPI JP Bemba
entre le marteau et l'enclume - Le Phare - 28 août 2007 -
http://www.digitalcongo.net/article/46145 (French)

II. CAR LEADER ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF BORDER WITH DRC

"The president of the Central African Republic [CAR], Francois Bozize, announced
in Kinshasa on 24 August 2007, the reopening of the border between his country
and the Democratic Republic of the Congo [DRC], at the end of a 48-hour visit.
[...]

The border between the CAR and the DRC was closed in 2002 following an incursion
into the CAR by the MLC rebels, who had come to give a helping hand to President
Ange-Felix Patasse as he faced Francois Bozize's troops. [...]"

See the article below:
1. CAR LEADER ANNOUNCES REOPENING OF BORDER WITH DRCONGO - Source: Les Depeches
de Brazzaville website, Brazzaville, in French 27 Aug 07 - BBC Monitoring (link
not available)

III. PRESIDENT BOZIZE SAID TO BE SURPRISED TO SEE FORMER REBEL LEADER ABDOULAYE
MISKINE REFUSING THE POST OF COUNSELOR TO THE PRESIDENCY

According to an article from the Congolese newspaper "Le Palmarès," President
Bozize is said to be surprised to see former rebel leader Abdoulaye Mesquine
refuse the post of presidential advisor. He added that this offer was made in
conformity with the February 2007 peace agreement between rebel groups and the
government. "Unfortunately Mr. Miskine is currently in Libya from where he made
his declaration completely opposite to the terms of the peace agreement, which
is a surprise to us."
[Unofficial translation]

See the article below:
1. François Bozizé : "Bangui n'a jamais retiré sa plainte contre Jean Pierre
Bemba" - Déo Mulima Kampuku (Le Palmarès) - 25 août 2007 -
http://www.digitalcongo.net/article/46120 (French)

----------------------------------------
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