Hi Dan,
The law suit is still very much in hand, as far as the VSE investigation goes I phoned them approx three weeks ago and was told that they are still "reviewing" the case anyone out there who would like to phone VSE for an update , ask for George Pemberton the more intrest shown the better.
Meanwhile we appear to be over the first negotiating hurdle in the peace process........
JUNE 28, 10:47 EDT
Debate of Congo Peace Plan Begins
By ANGUS SHAW
Associated Press Writer
LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — African officials today began debating a plan to end Congo's civil war that calls for a cease-fire, the withdrawal of foreign troops and creation of a national army composed of government and rebel forces.
If the group of defense and foreign ministers approves the sweeping plan, the next step would be for rebel representatives and nine heads of state, including Congolese President Laurent Kabila, to sign it.
The peace plan is the most ambitious effort yet to end the 11-month conflict, which has destabilized central Africa and drawn in soldiers from six other countries, each with a security or financial interest in Congo — a vast, mineral-rich country that used to be called Zaire.
The war is draining the coffers of financially troubled countries and displacing tens of thousands of people. Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe have sent troops and supplies to back the government; Chad also backed Kabila but later reportedly withdrew its forces. Rwanda and Uganda have sent soldiers to fight alongside the rebels, who control the eastern third of Congo.
The 17-page plan — completed late Sunday by lower-level representatives of the region's countries, the rebels and Kabila — recommends a halt to fighting 24 hours after the heads of state sign it.
Within 45 days of a cease-fire, a national dialogue should start ''to determine the political dispensation'' in Congo. The United Nations and the Organization of African Unity would appoint a chairperson for the talks, which would include representatives of Congo's government, the rebels and others.
The plan also calls for the appointment within 14 days of a joint commission to enforce a cease-fire until neutral peacekeepers are deployed. The commission would be comprised of representatives of the warring parties, the mediating nations, the United Nations and the OAU.
The commission would draw up a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops to begin no later than 101 days after a cease-fire.
The plan proposes rebel forces assemble in monitored, designated areas within 35 days. Troops from the African nations fighting in Congo would gather at similar assembly points within 50 days.
Negotiators left some matters for the foreign and defense ministers to resolve, said Eric Silwamba, minister of state in the office of Zambian President Frederick Chiluba, the main mediator. Outstanding issues include how to enforce a cease-fire and the deployment of monitors and peacekeepers, Zambian state radio reported.
Rwanda entered Congo's war to fight Hutus who took part in the 1994 genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda and who are now in eastern Congo.
The draft plan calls for immediate steps to resolve the security concerns of Congo and neighboring Rwanda and Uganda. The two neighbors have promised not to withdraw their forces until they receive such guarantees. Zimbabwe on Sunday demanded their immediate withdrawal.
Congo, meanwhile, claimed 248 Rwandan soldiers were killed last week during an offensive in the Kabinda region, near the crucial government-held diamond center of Mbuji-Mayi in southern Congo. The report could not be independently confirmed.
In a humanitarian gesture, Congo on Sunday released 120 Congolese Tutsis and Rwandans interned during the war.
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