81.   The town, captured from Zairean government troops last week by rebel Tutsi forces, was formerly the hub of international aid efforts in eastern Zaire.

82.   The town, though dilapidated, appeared to have suffered little from fighting between the rebels and the Zairean government forces who had held it.

83.   The UNHCR tried Tuesday to secure guarantees from the rebels and Zairean government to relaunch aid operations in the region.

84.   The South Africans have mediated several weeks of talks between envoys of the Zairean government, opposition and rebels.

85.   The United States condemned on Tuesday air raids by Zairean government forces on eastern Zaire and called for an immediate direct dialogue between the parties.

86.   The refugees streamed up to the Bukavu high plateau to escape clashes between Zairean government forces and ethnic Tutsis, triggering fears of a new humanitarian disaster.

87.   The region is controlled by Zairean government forces.

88.   The talks come amidst growing tension between the two neighbours, with Bujumbura accusing Kinshasa of providing sanctuary for Hutu rebels, accusations strongly denied by the Zairean government.

89.   The Zairean government and rebel envoys adjourned negotiations Tuesday, agreeing on the need for further talks and an eventual ceasefire, but stopping short of ending hostilities.

90.   The Zairean government and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Sadako Ogata have reached agreement on repatriating refugees currently in eastern Zaire, Ogata said here Friday.