Army Told to Retake Areas From Rebels

Zaire’s newly formed crisis government has told its demoralized and battered army to mount a “total and devastating” offensive to retake eastern territory from Tutsi rebels. In a statement, Defense Minister Gen. Likulia Bolongo--who was named to his post last week--said the army would be given the resources to hit back. “The Zairian counteroffensive must be total and devastating, sparing no act, Zairian or foreign, working in concert or intelligence with the enemy,” the statement said. But rebels have continued to push back the Zairian forces. They recently took the strategic gold mining center of Bunia, adding to a string of major towns they have seized since October in a rout of government forces on a front stretching more than 310 miles along Zaire’s eastern border. Rebel leaders say their objective is to topple ailing President Mobutu Sese Seko, who has held power for 31 years. The army faces other obstacles: In recent weeks loyal troops have had to deal with mutinous soldiers as well as prepare for a counterattack.