61.   In a statement Roberto Garreton said he had written to the Zairian government seeking permission to visit the country within the next few weeks.

62.   In Kinshasa, Zairian government spokesman Leon Kalima denied that foreign mercenaries or troops were fighting on behalf of Mobutu.

63.   In six weeks, the rebels have routed Zairian government troops from most of a strip of eastern Zaire north of Lake Tanganyika.

64.   In Kinshasa, the Zairian government claimed that the rebels had massacred refugees, but it was not possible to confirm this independently.

65.   In Washington, State Department spokesman Nicholas Burns said Washington was pinning its hopes on South African-brokered talks between the Zairian government and the rebels.

66.   It was unclear whether he also would talk directly with Zairian government representatives.

67.   It was unclear whether Kabila also would talk directly with Zairian government representatives.

68.   It was unclear whether Kabila also would speak directly with Zairian government representatives.

69.   Kabila, a long-time foe of Mobutu, has proclaimed his intention to reform the Zairian government and install a free-market economy.

70.   Karaha said they might meet with the Zairian government representatives at the gathering.