A lot of attention in Washington these days is focussed on Zaire and the present crisis in the Great Lakes Region. There as been a proliferation of meetings but unfortunately the meetings, instead of bringing clarity to the situation, have highlighted its complexity.
Below is a summary of some of the different view points which have emerged on the war, humanitarian needs, and U.S. policy. In spite of the differences there are some convergences. Probably the most important and perhaps the most obvious one is that escalation of the war will benefit no one. The second is that there is

The Zairan army posted in the eastern regions of the country is in retreat, pressed by the armies of Uganda and of the Banyamulenge. The disbanded troops are on the rampage and commandeer vehicles, petrol and food upplies to help their flight. So far no human casualties have been reported. But women are in continuous risk of being raped.
Around Christmas the town of ISIRO became the centre of the movements of retreating troops. Christmas day started in the usual festive atmosphere. But at four o'clock in the afternoon the

by the Africa Faith and Justice Network
Washington, DC - The situation in Zaire has become more critical and more complicated in the last few months. Fierce fighting has broken out in Masisi, one of the most fertile areas in Zaire. Living in the area were Rwandan Hutus (Zairean Hutus now), some of whom have been there since the 1900's, Rwandan Tutsis who fled the violence in the 1950's, Zairean Tutsis who were in Zaire when the border was finalized, and other Zairean groups such as the Hunde.

Fighting in this area has broken out

Washington, DC - Monrovia in the last few weeks has faced what is now known as a "semblance of peace." But war-wearied Liberians want more than a semblance of peace, they want the real thing: lasting and durable peace, an opportunity to put their lives back together.
Liberia, perhaps more than any other nation in West Africa, has suffered sufficiently. After more than six years of a brutal civil war that has left more than 200,000 dead, 800,000 others as refugees and more than a million displaced, Liberia deserves the good-will