Congolese President Joseph Kabila has ended a four-nation European tour with promises of debt cancellation, the training of his new unified army, police; and help with the organisation of multiparty elections at the end of a two-year transitional government of national unity, IRINnews, the newsagency, reports.
In France, where he began his visit, Kabila met government officials who reiterated their desire to help the country through its transition to democracy.
President Jacque Chirac has, among other promises, cancelled Congos 620 million euro (794 million dollars) debt to France, if the transition process goes according to plan.
French Cooperation Minister Pierre-Andre Wiltzer also announced 50 million euro (64 million dollars) in bilateral aid to the Congo. This grant will be disbursed over two years. In 2003, France cancelled a 1 billion euro (1,28 billion dollars) debt Congo owed it through the Paris Club.
In London, Kabila received British assurances of 38 million dollars in annual budgetary support that ends in March. Britain has already channeled at least another 100 million dollars in aid to the country through the World Bank.
In addition, European Commission President Romano Prodi promised Kabila that he would accelerate the disbursement of 5 million euro (6,4 million dollars) promised to train Congos new unified police force.
A unit of this new police, made up of former belligerents, will be responsible for protecting institutions of the transitional government, replacing the 700 UN troops engaged in this task since the installation of the government in June 2003. France is also to provide 12 instructors to train the anti-riot police.
Meanwhile, Belgium, the Congos former colonial power, is to train the new unified army. In January, Brussels sent 190 military instructors to the eastern city of Kisangani, to begin training the Congos first unified army brigade.
Kilde: FN-bureauet IRINnews
