DR of Congo: parties agree on start of inter-Congolese dialogue

Preparatory talks for the Inter-Congolese Dialogue wrapped up today in Gaborone, Botswana, with an agreement on when to begin the actual discussions, a United Nations spokesman said.

"The talks have gone well, and the parties have agreed on October 15 as the date for the beginning of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue itself," spokesman Fred Eckhard said, adding that a venue for the meeting has not yet been decided. That decision, along with an agenda, would be determined within the next 15 days.

The just-completed talks were held under the support of the former President of Botswana, Ketumile Masire.