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<TD class=update width="81%">Thursday, 6th August 2009</TD>
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<TD class=lead_title colSpan=2>Kagame, Kabila talks to go ‘beyond security’</TD></TR>
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<TD class=lead_title colSpan=2>BY FELLY KIMENYI and ROBERT MUGABE</TD></TR>
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<P><STRONG>KIGALI</STRONG> - Today’s landmark meeting between President Paul Kagame and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila, is expected to go beyond security to encompass trade and joint investment opportunities in different projects.</P>
<P>A reliable source said the two Heads of State who are meeting today at the Rwanda-DRC border of Rubavu ,will engage in different bilateral issues but also discus on how they can jointly work to move the Great Lakes Region forward. </P>
<P>“We are going beyond security issues that have in the past been a major concern for the two nations,” a source that spoke on condition of anonymity told The New Times. </P>
<P>“We are now looking at broader issues of trade and investment---I’m sure you’ve heard about the proposed joint projects in the energy sector.”</P>
<P>The meeting, the first under bilateral arrangements, marks a turning point between the two former foes. </P>
<P>It comes at a time the two nations have restored full diplomatic relations by appointing ambassadors to the respective capitals. </P>
<P>In Rubavu, a preparatory meeting by Ministers from both nations set a friendly mood and tone to signal that war drums had long been silenced and that the two nations were now heading for full bilateral cooperation. </P>
<P>The Ministers working on the agenda for the Heads of State meeting came up with renewed commitment and zeal to drive relations to greater heights. </P>
<P>“We are meeting here to evaluate our cooperation in all areas and prepare the meeting of Heads of States to take place, as we look forward to having a permanent partnership,” Foreign Affairs Minister Rosemary Museminari said yesterday.</P>
<P>She and her Congolese counterparts and senior government officials from both nations have been engaged in long diplomatic endeavours shuttling between Kinshasa and Kigali to mend fences.</P>
<P>“We want this cooperation to extend from diplomacy to energy, security, trade and free movement of our citizens. I believe that the meeting of our Heads of State will have a great impact to all our citizens,” Raymond Tshibanda, DRC’s Minister for International and Regional Cooperation reiterated.</P>
<P>He added that cooperation between both countries was now flourishing and hoped that it would extend to all spheres of life. </P>
<P>Other Congolese ministers who attended the meeting included the Ministers of Defence Charles Mwando Nsimba, Foreign Affairs Minister Alexis Tambwe and Laurent Muzangisa in charge of Energy.</P>
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