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The president held a press on saturday 31 january 2009 to address a number of issues including the joint operartion between rwanda and the FARDC in the eastern part of congo.

Addressing the issues the president indicated that timeframe for the operation would expired in mid-february and the foreign troops (namely rwandan armed forces and ougandan forces) would have to return to their countries. Mr kabila announced the FARDC have recaptured all territories occupied by the rebel group CNDP.

Responding to question about the proposed extradition of Laurent Nkunda to Kinshasa, The president said It is a diplomatic and political process wich kinshasa is followiing. Mr Kabila refuted claims that Mr Nkunda arrest would be used as some sort bargaining tool in future negociations between the countries in the future. Mr Kabila indicated this is already part of an existing agreement, The CNDP issues could not be resolved peacefully with FDLR existing in the DRC.

In regards to General Bosco Ntaganda , who is wanted by the CPI , the president refrained from making clear the DRC government position due to sensitivity of the peace in the country but said there's not that many countries that has co-operated with the hague more than the DRC.

Responding to claims made by many that somehow rwanda is looking to exploit some wealth along the DRC government . It was made by the president there's no joint wealth to exploit apart from the gas in lake kivu wich rwanda for its part has already started to exploit.even the joint project with ouganda to exploit petrol from lake albert has yet to became effective.


Addressing questions about the 5 chantiers projects.

The president refused to put any sort of estimation so far saying he would rather wait until march or april to do so, there are various works in and around the country but he's impatient to see those start to take shape.

regarding the world financial crisis , the president said it would be beneficial to the DRC to diversify its economy taking into account the price of precious stone which is declining. The option of farming might be the best solution for DRC to reach a self-sufficient in regards to its food needs and to export more and import less.

It is neceesary in his judgement to push more young people in the bigger towns such as kinshasa and those in oriental province towards farming work in order to fight the unemployment issue.

Chief of the national police, Mr John Numbi announced today the arrest of Mr Laurent Nkunda in a joint operation with the rwandan police on thursday. According to yet unidentified member of the rwandan police force the arrested took place after a brief resistance by the chief rebel . The statement also indicated the CNDP leader will remain under house arrest and further annoucement would be made in due course.