67 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the continuing conflict in the Congo; the initiatives, if any, the Government is taking or supporting through the EU or the UN to secure an end to the conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25519/99]

The Government remains deeply concerned at the slow pace of implementation of the ceasefire agreement which was signed in Lusaka on 10 July by the Governments of the six countries involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo – Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The MLC – Movement for the Liberation of Congo – signed the ceasefire agreement on 1 August while a dispute within the RCD – Congolese Rally for Democracy – delayed its signature until 31 August.