CONGO: BRITISH MARINES PREPARE TO EVACUATE NATIONALS FROM ZAIRE

Описание: (14 Apr 1997) French/Nat

British Royal Marine commandoes in Congo continued preparing for the possible evacuation of British nationals from the Zairean capital.

If an evacuation is required, the commandoes will be using - for the first time - a new type of amphibious landing craft.

The hovercrafts are capable of break-neck speeds.

They've been training in the Congolese capital, Brazzaville, for two weeks now, and these British marine commandoes say they're ready for the worst-case scenario.

Most of the force has been drawn from the four-two Royal Marines commando unit, which is usually based in the southern British port of Plymouth.

But they've also been joined by a small boat group from the marines' five-three-one assault squadron, who have arrived with their specially equipped speed boats.

The marines call them raiding craft.

They're here for the possible evacuation of British and Commonwealth nationals - in the face of what Zaireans across the river in Kinshasa call another "pillage".

In September 1991 and January 1993, Zairean troops - unpaid for months - spent several nights looting civilians in the country's urban centres.

In the second "pillage", non-Africans were singled out for special attention.

Now Kinshasans, watching rebels advance from the eastern hills to the western savannahs, wait for a third pillage.

This time, with President Mobutu's army facing a routing, and rumours of a coup persisting in the capital, foreigners are concerned that things could get bloody.

In such a situation, speed would be an advantage, so these marines have been given a new British-designed mode of transport.

These hovercraft run on a single diesel engine and an carry about 20 people - over water and land - at 45 to 50 knots.

They've been in service for four years, but this is the first time they could be used in active service.

About three-thousand American, French and Belgian troops are in the region with the British.

Some find the troops reassuring, others think their numbers might be provocative.

SOUNDBITE: (French)
"The people of Zaire don't need that army. The people of Zaire need an election. We don't need the army to be there to do what? We don't a war."
SUPER CAPTION: Felicien Liamba Linkinda - Former Vice Minister of Energy in the Kendo government

There are about 260 British nationals now in Zaire - but the marines say they'll be ready to evacuate the citizens of any other foreign nation which makes a request for help.

Many foreigners have already left.

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