UGANDA LRS CHIEF CALLS FOR TRUCE!

The talks are taking place on the DR Congo-Sudan border. Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebel leader Joseph Kony has called for a ceasefire with the government, during his first appearance at peace talks.
Mr Kony met the chief mediator, southern Sudanese Vice-President Riek Machar, near the DR Congo-Sudan border.
Mr Kony spoke to journalists as at least 80 LRA fighters, some draped with ammunition belts, surrounded the venue.
He denied involvement in war crimes, for which he is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Until now Mr Kony had refused to join the formal peace talks to end the 20-year insurgency in northern Uganda, where the LRA has killed and maimed thousands.
"We wish to categorically state that no meaningful negotiations can take place without a cessation of hostilities," Mr Kony said in a statement read out by an LRA spokesman, before he answered journalists' questions.
'I did not do anything'
Asked what would happen if the government did not accept a ceasefire, Mr Kony said: "I will not do anything, but I will try also to talk so that we cease the fire."
When asked if he thought he would ever stand trial before the ICC in The Hague, the rebel leader replied: "No, no, no... because I did not do anything."
Mr Machar told the BBC's Focus on Africa that Mr Kony said he was committed to a peaceful settlement to the conflict in northern Uganda.

Machar meets Kony

Mr Machar earlier pointed out that the conflict affected more than northern Uganda, as the LRA and Ugandan forces had also engaged in combat across the border.
"They are fighting in Sudanese territory, and as you know we have just come out of war. We do not want our population to be disturbed by another war which we have nothing to gain from," he told the BBC.
The discussions taking place are considered the best chance for peace in years.
Mr Kony and four of his commanders are wanted for war crimes by the ICC.
But Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has offered them a full and guaranteed amnesty as long as they renounce violence.
As well as killing and maiming thousands, the LRA has routinely captured children during the war to use them as soldiers or slaves.

BBC NEWS REPORT.