Brussels, 03/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - At the request of High Representative Javier Solana, the EU Special Representative for the African Great Lakes region, Aldo Ajello, is to hold meetings on 3-12 June with the political leaders of the region, in the context of the current effort being made to stabilise the situation in the region of Itur, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Mr Ajello will mainly be in Kigali, Kampala, Kinshasa, Gbadolite and Goma. Mr Solana will have meetings over coming days with the presidents of DRC, Mr Kabila, Rwanda, Mr Kagame, and Uganda, Mr Museveni, as well as with UN Secretary General Mr Annan and the President-in-Office of the African Union, Mr Mbeki.
A press release states that the EU is currently studying the possibility of supporting or carrying out an operation in Bunia, in the region of Ituri, under European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), within the framework of a multinational interim force as foreseen by Security Council Resolution 1484. The EU's Political and Security Committee is addressing the issue, the press release states.