[allAfrica.com] 'LRA's Kony Misled On Peace Agreement' New Vision (Kampala) NEWS 20 April 2008 Posted to the web 21 April 2008 By Henry Mukasa Kampala JOSEPH Kony, the leader of the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) refused to sign the final peace agreement because he was misled into thinking that even if he escaped prosecution at The Hague, President Yoweri Museveni would order for his execution. Defense state minister Ruth Nankabirwa said trial for Kony and LRA fighters who committed serious crimes was a must because the international community would exert too much pressure on the Government if there was impunity. Nankabirwa said the signing ceremony hit a snag because of misinterpretation of the accountability and reconciliation pact. The agreement prescribed mato-oput (traditional justice) to atone for minor crimes and the creation of a special division at the High Court to try serious crimes. "Kony said he wanted security even for himself and his 40 wives," Nankabirwa said during a seminar on the Land Bill at Sir Apollo Kaggwa auditorium in Lubaga Division on Saturday. Museveni received former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano at Hoima State Lodge in Hoima Municipality on Saturday. Nankabirwa said despite Kony's fears, his trial must proceed after signing the final peace agreement. She said this would also send a message to the LRA victims that the perpetrators would be punished. "We will not punish them with an iron fist but in a reconciliatory way." The minister said on April 26, Kony will meet elders from the north at Ri- kwangba. They will explain to him the justice systems he will undergo. Meanwhile, donors expressed disappointment over the delay in the signing the final peace agreement. In a statement issued by the Germany ambassador, Reinhard Buchholz, the donors commended the Government for being patient and urged it to prepare for implementations consistent with international law. ======================================================================================== Copyright © 2008 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ======================================================================================== [images//media.fastclick.net/w/ get.media?sid=7943&m=1&tp=1&d=s&c=1&f=b&v=1.4]