'EU not biased in DRC poll'
2006-08-29 07:56
Brussels - The European Union's top development official rejected on Monday accusations of bias in the Democratic Republic of Congo elections, saying the bloc backed the transition process, but did not favour any particular candidate.
Opposition parties in DRC had accused the international community, including the EU, of seeking victory for President Joseph Kabila in the former Belgian colony - a view shared by some ordinary DRC.
In Kinshasa, youths had stoned the United Nations and EU military vehicles, while others had threatened to kill foreigners, accusing them of meddling in the vast African nation's affairs.
EU development commissioner Louis Michel, a former Belgian foreign minister, said: "The EU is absolutely not biased, it is neutral.
"I am not a supporter of President Kabila, I am not a supporter of ex-rebel chief Jean-Pierre Bemba, I am a supporter of the transition process."
'The hope for the future'
However, some parliamentarians said Michel had previously made comments, which encouraged the claims of EU bias.
British MEP Richard Howitt said: "He's said ill-advised things that made it more likely the accusations (of bias) would be made", noting that Michel had described Kabila as "the hope for the future" before the first round of the election on July 30.
Michel said he would have made the same comment about Kabila's opponent Bemba too if he had been asked because all those who took part in the election brought hope to the DRC.
Tensions were running high during DRC's first free polls in more than 40 years, with October's presidential run-off due to decide who would control the country's vast mineral wealth.
Raised fears for security
At least 23 people were killed last week in three days of clashes in the sprawling riverside capital, Kinshasa, after Kabila's troops attacked a television station supporting Bemba.
The fighting had raised fears for security in the run-off. The more than 17 000-strong UN peacekeeping mission was boosted for the July 30 election by a smaller EU force (Eufor) of about 1 000 soldiers, backed by standby units in Gabon.
Michel said: "Of course I fear further incidents of this kind, but I think the Eufor is able to keep the belligerents apart and make sure that the second round takes place in good conditions."