KINSHASA - Zaire's government refrained from comment yesterday on rebel statements that they were willing to hold preliminary peace talks from next Thursday in South Africa, even as they continued to gain territory.
A rebel spokesman, Mr Kongolo Mwenze, in the guerrilla held town of Goma in east Zaire, made the comment yesterday. As the uncertainty over the talks went on, the rebels continued to strengthen their hand at the talks table by capturing more territory in their advance on their next priority, Zaire's second largest city of Lubumbashi.
The rebels yesterday seized the town of Kamina in Shab-a province, which is rich in minerals, and were moving towards the provincial capital, according to sources in the city. Kamina fell without a fight, but the sources said the Zairean Armed, Forces looted the rail town as they pulled out.
In Washington, the State Department said it was donating, another $3 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to support repatriation of refugees in eastern Zaire.
. Fire swept through a Mombasa slum over the weekend, destroying the homes of 10,000 people, Kenyan television reported.