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afrol News, 28 June - President Ange-Felix Patassé has taken steps towards a reconciliation in the politically polarised Central African Republic. A recent meetings with the opposition parties and the diplomatic community was yesterday hailed by the UN. Reacting to the latest developments in the Central African Republic, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan welcomed all efforts to promote national reconciliation and stability in the country, and described the resolution adopted by the National Assembly at an extraordinary session last week as "a step in the right direction." - The Secretary-General also welcomes the political dialogue initiated by President Patassé during his recent meetings with the opposition parties and the diplomatic community, a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement released yesterday at UN Headquarters in New York. "He encourages the President to pursue his efforts and to take the necessary measures to restore calm and the respect for the rule of law and human rights for all citizens." The UN Secretary-General also urged the international partners to assist the Central African Republic in managing the serious humanitarian and socio-economic problems facing the nation, which have been exacerbated by the recent troubling events. The recent coup attempt in the troubled country had emerged from the political crisis between President Patassé's government and the opposition - divided by ethnical and economic lines. The country has been marred by social unrest for some two years, especially over the large amount of unpaid salaries. Promised international aid has been slow in materialising. The coup attempt also triggered a government crackdown on the opposition. Some 60,000-70,000 persons were displaced internally in areas south of the capital, Bangui, by the fighting and the crackdown. Another 14,000-17,000 Central African residents went to Equateur Province in the northwestern corner of Congo Kinshasa.
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