(4 Apr 1997) French/Nat
Zaire's President Mobutu Sese Seko said Friday he would probably run for another term if the country holds elections, despite poor health and continued challenges to his leadership.
Speaking before his meeting with the new Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi Mobutu refused to join criticism of the new premier.
Zaire's new Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi arrived for a meeting with his long-term political foe - President Mobutu Sese Seko - on Friday.
Mobutu blocked Tshisekedi from the post of prime minister in 1992, but accepted the National Conference's decision this time round.
On his first day as premier on Thursday, Tshisekedi sacked the parliament, annulled the constitution and offered six cabinet positions to rebels trying to topple President Mobutu.
But Mobutu stayed out of the row on Friday, as he greeted the new premier for an open- ended meeting.
SOUNDBITE:
"We have all the time we need."
SUPER CAPTION: Mobutu Sese Seko, Zairian President
SOUNDBITE:
"This is not an issue that concerns the head of state. It's a political debate that should take place between the politicians and the prime minister. The prime minister has been elected by the opposition and does not come from my side."
SUPER CAPTION: Mobutu Sese Seko, Zairian President
Tshisekedi paved the way for an election on Thursday, but has not set a date for the poll.
Friday's public appearance by Mobutu was the longest since he spent many months in Switzerland receiving prostate cancer treatment.
But concerns over his health and challenges to his leadership have not dampened the president's enthusiasm to stay in power.
Mobutu refused to be drawn into commenting on the presence of foreign troops over the river in the Congo.
SOUNDBITE:
It's not my affair - it's intimidation, pure and simple."
SUPER CAPTION: Mobutu Sese Seko, Zairian President
After their meeting, Zaire's new prime minister left to continue his seemingly impossible task of creating a government capable of running a country torn by war and political rivalries.
Tshisekedi is also charged with planning the first democratic elections since Mobutu's coup in 1965.
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Негізгі бет ZAIRE: PRESIDENT MOBUTU SESE SEKO MAY RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM
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