Damascus passed messages to Israel via Turkey offering to restart peace talks broken off 4 years ago. U.S. pressure over Iraq remained high, with Donald Rumsfeld accusing Syria 23 February of allowing militants to cross into Iraq, and with U.S. government debating whether to apply sanctions authorised by Syria Accountability Act.

In deal brokered by Qatar, POLISARIO front released 100 Moroccan prisoners of war captured in conflict over Western Sahara.

Saudi Arabia agreed to stop construction of security fence along frontier with Yemen. Fence designed to tighten border following 2003 Riyadh suicide bombings.

Human Rights Watch report claimed more than U.S.$4 billion in oil revenue disappeared from Angolan government coffers from 1997-2002, roughly equal to entire sum government spent on social programs in same period. Government rejected claims.

Defence minister dismissed after being questioned about September 2003 coup plot – replaced by head of President Campaore’s personal staff.

In positive move, President Ndayizeye held first talks with Hutu FNL rebels in Netherlands mid-January. Talks inconclusive, as FNL, last active rebel group in Burundi, insisting will only negotiate with Tutsi leaders. FNL attacks killed 17 near capital 11 January. International donors’ conference in Belgium raised $1.03 billion for reconstruction. Refugees began returning in thousands from neighbouring Tanzania.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed concern in 7 January report about re- emergence of rapes, killings, hold-ups. Government released electoral calendar – constitutional referendum to be held November 2004, followed by municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections December 2004 - January 2005.

Security situation remains tense. Rebels returned to power-sharing government 6 January after 3-month boycott. France seeking UN Security Council approval by 4 February of peacekeeping force of 6,240; U.S. has reservations. At least 18 killed in ethnic clashes in west and north. Policeman convicted of October murder of French journalist and sentenced to 17 years jail.

Hardline Hutu rebels held hostage at least 3,000 former Rwandan fighters to prevent their return to Rwanda, according to UN mission in DRC (MONUC). Some 100 people reported massacred by ethnic Lendu militia in Ituri province 16 January. UPC militia (which in past received support from Rwanda) launched number of attacks on MONUC peacekeepers, firing on soldiers and helicopters. South Africa’s President Mbeki visited DRC 13 January, signing cooperation pact.

Intense diplomatic efforts under way to resolve impasse over disputed border demarcation, with visits from German Chancellor Schroeder, UK’s Foreign Office minister and US deputy assistant secretary for African Affairs. Continued ethnic violence in western Ethiopia has caused at least 5,000 to flee to Sudan.