Those of us who have lived under the Mobutu regime, and who have the opportunity to compare our experiences with the current situation of the country were distressed to read the negatively biased press reports during the anniversary of the "liberation" of Congo. Although I cannot speak for the situation of the Great Lakes region, I can discuss my own experinces from a western view point, and attempt to communicate the impressions of my Congolese neighbors within the context of the rural Bandundu province and Kinshasa. I would like to refute the impression that the Kabila government is such a disappointment. Let us not forget the tremendous disadvantage from which he started. Let us remember that a year ago, president kabila found a land that had been self destructing for thirty years. he found a people demoralized and discouraged, with no leadership besides the military who were a law unto themselves. I think it is difficult to compare Mobutu's Presidency to Kabila's, not only because of the duration of their time in office, but also given the resources available to each. President Mobutu had 32 years (along with foreign aid) to leave the country in it's pitiful state. President Kabila has done much (even with what he calls a foreign embargo) to reverse the downward spiral that he inherited from his predecessor. I would like to highlight some of the negative trends that have been halted and perhaps even reversed from our vantage point.

A. The new military presence brings an image of discipline and respect for human rights.

Kabila's Alliance forces swept across the country with the help of a local population who finally saw the opportunity for change. Contrary to the image of the massive human rights violators, the Alliance forcs in our area proved to be much more disciplined than Mobutu's forces. The population of Kinshasa is much appreciative of the new military presence. Even though the military is severe with dissent and civil disorder, there is much more peace and security now than before. The state of terror is what existed in Mobutu's day, not what is being experienced today. The road blocks and the soldiers who took advantage of both foreigners and Zairians by inventing "infractions" are no longr a menace to the society. One can walk downtown Kinshasa now, day or night in security. A visit to the central market is not putting oneself at the mercy of the merciless and greedy presidential guard.

B. President Kabila has reversed a spirit of lawlessness and the image of a government run by "Kleptocracy".

Congolese even speak of Kabila restoring a new morality in the country. Those who had the misfortune of entering Zaire by way of N'djili international airport would be pleasantly surprised to note that as one enters the airport under the restored Congo banner, not only a new paint job is noticed, but also a new mentality among the government officials. Customs officials are professional rather than those who groped through luggage to see how they could profit. Mobutu's policy of "zairianization" in the early 1970's was an ill-advised means of pillaging businesses and industry that othrs had built up in many cases for generations. The government nationalized these businesses, so that those close to Mobutu could "inherit" what others had built, and then proceeded to destroy by mismanagement what had been "inherited". Let us not forget that it was Mobutu's troops that led the pillaging of 1991 and 1993.

From then on, Kinshasa lived under the threat of another "pillage", which discouraged investment. Under Kabila's leadership, however, the spirit of pillaging and lawlessness is history. A new mentality is being built. A morality based on respect for human rights and dignity.

A real effort is being made to correct the injustics of the past. Those who had land taken by force can begin the process of reclaiming what is rightfully theirs.

C. Kabila has brought some order to an economy that was completely out of control.

During the hyper inflation of the nineties, money was being printed at an alarming rate and bypassing the banks to pay the military brass and those close to the dictator. When Kabila came to power, neither government workers, nor school teachers or medical workers had received any pay since 1990. In Kabila's first year as President, there is finally an attempt to pay these faithful workers who have continued to work since 1990 even without pay, because of their hope of seeing a better day. Those who are receiving at least a meager salary note that the currency is more stable now than it has been in ten years. Banks are once again open while the crippling inflation that would cause the currency to inflate hour by hour is only a bad memory. Merchants can purchase supplies in Kinshasa, travel to the interior and return to Kinshasa to find the same items at the same price. For those of us who have lived in Zaire, this is a positive change which makes a lot of difference to the ordinary Congolese. Staples such as soap and salt are finally affordable and available. Small time merchants are having to expand their structures to hold the increasing stock. This is a real reversal, since nearly all private enterprises had been destroyed by the economy under Mobutu. One ironic gauge of the economic health of the rural Bandundu area, is the number of patients at the local hospital. When the economy is in a downward swing, no one can afford treatment. Within the past couple months, since the bridges have been repaired and local produce has been sold, the hospital is beginning to fill up.

D. Reversal of the neglect of the infrastructure.

Kabila inherited an infrastructure in which even the foundations were destroyed through lack of foresight and maintenance. As Mobutu's forces retreated towards Kinshasa, a couple of bridges were destroyed to slow the advance of the Alliance forces. It has taken less than a year to replace the bridges (without foreign aid).

Trucks are finally able to get beyond these obstacles as they seek produce to feed the capital of 5 million. The road between the port city of Matadi and Kinshasa is finally being maintained after years of neglect. The railroad which had nearly ground to a halt is back in service. The Postal Service is beginning to function now that some confidence is restored in the system. As one enters Kinshasa, garbage that has been collecting for years along the sides of the road and in the drainage ditches is being removed. The change in Kinshasa is more than cosmetic, it touches the very identity of the Congolese. The Zairian corrupt and pillaging mentality is a thing of the past. There is pride now in being Congolese. Self worth and human dignity is being restored.

E. New sense of Dignity

In January I explained to my Congolese friends about the American holiday marking Martin Luther King day.

I also spoke about the human rights struggle in the United States. The experience of Mrs. Rosa Parks and the transportation indignities of Montgomery in the 1950's struck a chord with my friends. One of the first things Kabila changed in Kinshasa was the puclic transportation practice of overcrowding. Because Mobutu's troops comandeered so many taxis and taxi buses, and extorted such heavy fines at nearly every stop, it was difficult for the owners and drivers to make money. The taxis and buses were crowded to as much as they could hold, without regard for passenger comfort or respect. Two passengers always sat in the passenger seat of a subcompact taxi. Four passengers had to crowd into the small back seat. The taxi buses were hot, crowded and dangerous. Riding in a taxi-bus may be compared to seeing how many people can be stuffed into a phone booth, except that you can see out of a phone booth. The Zairians, like the experience of the African Americans in Alabama felt like they wer dehumanized to have to be subjected to this sort of public transportation. Kabila's troops on the other hand stopped harassing public transportation and insisted that the taxis and taxi buses not be overcrowded. As a result, more vehicles are on the road. Congolese can travel by public transportation without the indignity of overcrowding now, and without the frequent harassment by the military.

CONCLUSION

There are elements that seek to highlight the worst in order to destabilize and take advantage of the situation for personal or tribal gain. Contrary to the disheartening reports by the foreign press concerning the anniversary of the change in government, many of the Congolese were celebrating the changes. A year ago, a miracle happened, President Mobutu (who had vowed he would never be called an "ex-president") and his much feared presidential guard fled before a rag tag yet motivated army that had walked across Africa to "liberate" those who had been subjected under the yoke of a dictator for so many years. A diverse nation of many languages is in the process of healing as it rises out of the ruins. The downward uncontrolled spiral has been brought under a measure of control. The international community should look with awe and respect to the accomplishments already set in place, and seek means to assist with the enormous challenge which still lies before President Kabila and the new government.