Kabila tells Bush of Congo elections plans
WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Joseph Kabila, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, told U.S. President George W. Bush on Wednesday of plans to hold within two years the first multiparty elections in his country since independence in 1960.
Rebel groups have joined Kabila in a transition government following a peace deal signed in April to end a war that has left 3 million people dead, mostly from hunger and disease. But despite the progress, militia groups are still committing atrocities in Congo's lawless east.
Kabila met Bush at the White House and afterward told reporters he told Bush about "the elections that we are supposed to be holding within the next two years."
Secondly, they discussed Congo's cooperation in the U.S.-led war on terrorism and the need for more U.S. and international support for Congo's humanitarian crisis.
"It was a good meeting, very positive meeting, and we expect quite a lot from this particular meeting," he said.
Electoral officials in Congo say the former Belgian colony was on course to hold all elections within two years from June 30, when a coalition government was installed to end the war in Africa's third biggest country.
