IN THE NEWS - Update on the Democratic Republic of the Congo

IN THE NEWS - Update on the Democratic Republic of the Congo
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Saturday, December 11, 2004

This is Steve Ember with In the News in VOA Special English.

 
Graphic¹ Image
The United Nations is investigating reports that Rwandan soldiers attacked civilians² last month in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The violations³ reportedly happened during a Rwandan military campaign against Hutu rebels in eastern Congo. People say armed men, thought to be Rwandans, attacked civilians and burned houses.

Rwanda has repeatedly threatened to send troops across the border to kill Hutu extremists. Many of the Hutus fled to Congo after taking part in the killings⁴ in Rwanda in nineteen ninety-four. About eight hundred thousand minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed.

The United Nations has condemned⁵ reports of Rwandan military operations in eastern Congo. On Tuesday, the Security Council called on Rwanda to immediately withdraw any troops it may have there. The council warned that it would consider actions against individuals who try to harm the peace process in Congo.

Many Congolese blame the current situation on the U.N. peacekeeping operation in Congo, known as MONUC. Critics say many of the soldiers are poorly trained and lack the will, and the equipment, to do the job. There have even been reports of sex crimes against children by members of the peacekeeping force.

On Wednesday, Rwanda said it had deployed⁶ troops along the border last month. But it denied sending them into Congo. Rwanda has criticized Congo and the United Nations for failing to disarm⁷ the Hutu fighters.

The Congolese government has sent more troops to eastern Congo.

Rwanda invaded Congo in nineteen ninety-six and nineteen ninety-eight. The second attack led to a five-year civil war in Congo. Several other countries in the area also got involved.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo was called Zaire until nineteen ninety-seven.

In two thousand two a peace agreement was signed. Rwandan troops left Congo. But since then, not much has been done to disarm the Hutu rebels, as called for by the peace agreement.

The International Rescue Committee says the natural mineral wealth of Congo continues to be stolen. Basic health needs, water and schooling⁸ remain limited. Also, many families have been terrorized by armed groups.

The International Rescue Committee said this week that close to four million people in Congo have died since nineteen ninety-eight as a result of the crisis. Most have died from hunger and disease.

The committee says more U.N. troops are needed to disarm and arrest Rwandan Hutu fighters. It also says Congo is not receiving enough international aid.

Congo is currently ruled by a temporary coalition⁹ government. Some signs of economic recovery have been reported since the war officially ended. President Joseph Kabila says general elections will take place next year.

In the News, in VOA Special English, was written by Cynthia Kirk.

1 graphic   

adj.生动的，形象的，绘画的，文字的，图表的

参考例句：

• The book gave a graphic description of the war.这本书生动地描述了战争的情况。
• Distinguish important text items in lists with graphic icons.用图标来区分重要的文本项。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

4 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

5 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

6 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

7 disarm   

v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和

参考例句：

• The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. 全世界等待伊拉克解除武装已有12年之久。
• He has rejected every peaceful opportunity offered to him to disarm.他已经拒绝了所有能和平缴械的机会。

8 schooling   

n.教育；正规学校教育

参考例句：

• A child's access to schooling varies greatly from area to area.孩子获得学校教育的机会因地区不同而大相径庭。
• Backward children need a special kind of schooling.天赋差的孩子需要特殊的教育。

9 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。