EU ministers plan Zaire aid mission

EU development ministers will hold an emergency meeting today to seek ways to get humanitarian aid to the hundreds of thousands of refugees in eastern Zaire.

"A coordinated and effective response ... is vital," said Joan Burton, Ireland's development minister who will chair the meeting. Spain and France want to send a multinational force of at least 5,000 troops to open corridors for taking supplies. French and Spanish leaders discussed the plan at a summit on Monday and Tuesday in Marseille.

The Zairean Tutsi-based rebel group that has made stunning advances in eastern Zaire appears divided on what to do next, analysts said. Some members wanted further action against Zaire's army while others sought a settlement. Brussels -Reuter/AP