61.   Karake said he believes the Congolese government can do that and effectively end the war.

62.   Kadaga said the new Congolese government is supporting political and economic policies geared toward promoting cooperation and trade links in the region.

63.   Kisanga said several Congolese government soldiers have been taken prisoner, but he was unable to say how many nor how many had been wounded.

64.   Karaha would only say the team had a mandate from the Congolese government to negotiate with the rebels.

65.   Meanwhile, preliminary talks began Tuesday in the nearby west African nation of Benin, but without the participation of the Congolese government.

66.   Meanwhile, rebel leaders said they would continue fighting against Congolese government troops and their allies from Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia.

67.   Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia have sent troops to support the Congolese government.

68.   Miranda said foreign troops supporting the Congolese government were scaling down their presence in the country.

69.   Ngizo said the main government defenses fell Sunday after eight days of rebel shelling when his troops cornered three Congolese government batallions on the eastern side of the river.

70.   Nkundabantu denied allegations that his troops killed refugees, and thought the international community has placed the Congolese government in an impossible predicament.