[allAfrica.com]


LRA Not Serious, Says M7

New Vision (Kampala)
NEWS
November 21, 2006
Posted to the web November 22, 2006
Kampala
President Yoweri Museveni said on Monday he did not believe the LRA rebels were
serious about reaching a peace deal.
But he said the UPDF would guarantee peace, whether or not a deal was struck,
and that it would be a mistake to give the LRA leaders an amnesty without an
agreement.
"If the talks succeed, then it will be a soft landing for the terrorists,"
Museveni told reporters during a visit to London.
"If (LRA leader Joseph) Kony misses this chance, then we already have peace in
Uganda and the army is able to guarantee peace in our country irrespective of
what happens with the peace talks," he said.
A truce signed in August between the Government and the LRA raised hopes of
ending the insurgency in the north.
But the truce remains fragile, with each side accusing the other of major
violations.
"I have full confidence in the mediation of the South Sudan government but of
course, Kony is not serious. But it doesn't matter," said Museveni.
"We have ensured peace in Uganda. After all Kony is no longer in Uganda, he is
in Congo and if he comes, that will be good. If he doesn't, we shall still
guarantee peace in Uganda."
Last week, Kony said he was committed to peace and did not have a hidden
agenda.


===============================================================================
  Copyright © 2006 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica
                        Global Media (allAfrica.com).
===============================================================================