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afrol News, 11 January - The national dialogue and reconciliation process in the Central African Republic remains a distant goal. Today, the UN Security Council expressed its "deep concern" over the "increasing problems affecting the political and economic situation" in the country. Promised economic aid however remains unavailable. - A dispute between the President of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the country's former top military official has stalled the CAR's efforts to return to normalcy, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a recent report. "The national reconciliation which was expected after the failed coup d'Etat of 28 May 2001 has still not taken place, partly because of the continuing judicial investigations," Mr. Annan observed. In response to this report, members of the Security Council today asked Mr. Kofi Annan to coordinate the various initiatives taken at the regional level to restore calm and stability in the country. In a statement to the press, the council asked Mr. Annan to carry out its request through his Representative, Lamine Cissé, and in cooperation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Although the council was concerned about the "continuing crisis," it welcomed the "positive steps taken by the country's authorities" and called on them to continue to facilitate the national dialogue and reconciliation, the statement said. The Council remained, however, deeply concerned about the interdependence between the continuing crisis in the Central African Republic and the situation in neighbouring states in particular, and the sub-region in general. Especially the armed conflict in Congo Kinshasa (DRC) has had influence on the stability in and flow of arms to the Central African Republic. The UN Security Council also encouraged the international community and the country's development partners to "continue to provide assistance". One of the main obstacles to achieve stability in the Central African Republic after the civil war has been the government's total lack of funds. Unpaid wages lead to waves of demonstrations and strikes in 2000 and 2001. Mr. Annan last year also confirmed that "poverty is the breeding ground" for the Central African Republic's instability. UN reports confirm that the country is facing an "economic emergency" which should be addressed through "prompt assistance" from the international community. This has however not happened. The Bangui government is still negotiating with the IMF to obtain credits, and is pushed to cut public spending even more. Instead of "prompt assistance" answering the political crisis in the country, the instability has only caused further delay in aid. In a letter from the Central African Minister of Finance and Budget, Eric Sorongopé, to the IMF in November 2001, the minister lamented there had been "intermittent political turmoil and labour unrest" in 2001, which had contributed to "significant slippages in other aspects of the implementation of the structural reform programme," thus delaying the promised IMF aid. Meanwhile, the Central African government is hurrying to implement all IMF demands, including the privatisation of key industries and services. Also planned for this year is the introduction of a "price policy consistent with international market trends," according to Sorongopé - meaning prices for Central African agricultural products are to be lowered. Sources: Based on UN sources and afrol archives
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