AFRICAN AND WESTERN DIPLOMATS WERE DISCUSSING THE DETAILS OF A PEACEKEEPING MISSION TO SOMALIA, AN AFRICAN UNION SPOKESMAN SAID MONDAY. THE MEETING WILL NOT DECIDE WHEN PEACEKEEPERS WOULD BE DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO FIRST EASE AN ARMS EMBARGO ON SOMALIA IMPOSED IN 1992 SO THAT TROOPS CAN CARRY ARMS IN THAT COUNTRY WITHOUT VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL LAW, SAID ASSANE BA, SPOKESMAN FOR THE AFRICAN UNION'S CONFLICT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. MONDAY'S MEETING «WILL JUST BE A JOINT CONSULTATION,» BA SAID, BETWEEN THE AU'S EXECUTIVE BODY, THE COMMISSION, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SEVEN-NATION INTERGOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY ON DEVELOPMENT THAT LEADS PEACE EFFORTS ON SOMALIA IN AFRICA AND U.N., EUROPEAN UNION, BRITISH, SWEDISH, ITALIAN DIPLOMATS. ACCORDING TO A REPORT OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.
