UNION
POUR LA DÉMOCRATIE
ET LE PROGRÈS SOCIAL

A CALL TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE OF DR. ETIENNE TSHISEKEDI, VETERAN PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER IN THE "DEMOCRATIC" REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Dr. Tshisekedi has proven over the years that he is committed to democracy and the rule of law. The initiative he has taken has the advantage of avoiding exclusion, the grave error that led to the present crisis.

The victory over Mobutu was clearly the result of a combination of forces including the long internal peaceful democratic combat led by Etienne Tshisekedi, the armed struggle by the AFDL and international pressure. Kabila and the AFDL chose to confiscate all power and tried to impose a new dictatorship in the Congo which alienated the popular support that was needed to secure it.

We call on the People of Congo and all factions in conflict to stop the ongoing war and give peace a chance by supporting the Tshisekedi Initiative.

Andre Ilunga Kalonzo
Executive Committee Member of UDPS Constituency
(Union for Democracy and Social Progress)
(212) 932-7883

Tshimanga John Metzel
Associate for U.S. Congo Educational Council
(703)534-3702

THE TSHISEKEDI INITIATIVE

<< I address myself today to my people to take a position with regard to the problem facing my country in light of the international character the conflict has taken on.

I thank all African friends who have tried to help us find a solution to our problems.

For my part, I sincerely believe that it is a political problem that we face which cannot be resolved except around a negotiation table which calls together all the political sensibilities in our country.

I commit myself, beginning from this moment, to make contact with President Kabila wherever he is, on one hand, and on the other I commit myself to meet with all our brothers who are at Goma on the other hand.

It is imperative, since this is an internal problem, for Zairians to prove their capacity for maturity.

We do not have the right to send our children to war and to death as long as we have not exhausted all of the political solutions available to us in our country.

Dr. Etienne Tshisekedi on Sunday, August 23, 1998 >>