Congo Diamond Pillaging To Be Probed UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan has recommended that the Security Council consider creating a panel of experts to investigate the illegal pillaging of Congo's natural resources. Congo has accused Rwanda and Uganda of backing rebels in the country so they can have access to Congo's diamond and gold mines. The Security Council, already concerned at how diamonds have fueled Angola's war, asked Annan in a January resolution to suggest ways to curb the exploitation. Annan replied back on Thursday with a suggestion that the council create a panel of experts to launch a six-month investigation and make recommendations. He said the money could come from the existing U.N. budget and suggested the panel be based at the U.N. office in Nairobi. Annan's recommendation came on the same day he issued a report on the status of the U.N. mission in Congo and the deployment of monitors to verify a cease-fire signed last summer by the warring sides. Rebels backed by Rwanda and Uganda took up arms in August 1998 to oust President Laurent Kabila from power. Kabila then enlisted the support of Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia. In his report, Annan noted progress on some fronts and urged potential troop contributors to come up with solid commitments for specialized military units for the observer force and aircraft. But Annan noted that fighting has been taking place and that there were indications ``including the purchase of arms and the recruitment and training of troops by some of the parties, that they may be preparing for new military activities.''
