SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES SMOOTH TRANSFER OF SECURITY RESPONSIBILITIES IN EASTERN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

2 September 2003



The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the smooth transfer of security responsibilities from the Interim Emergency Multinational Force (IEMF) to the Ituri Brigade of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) in Bunia on 1 September. The Secretary-General expresses his appreciation to the European Union and to all the States that have contributed troops to the IEMF, in particular the Framework Nation, France.

The Secretary-General is confident that the MONUC force on the ground, already totalling over 2,500, is prepared to implement its mandate. His intention is that MONUC will maintain the momentum of its further deployment to the region and of the peace process facilitated by the presence of the European Union-led IEMF.

The Secretary-General reminds all the key players in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the neighbouring States of their responsibility to stay on the course of peace and reconciliation, and to cooperate fully with the United Nations.




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