But Most Rebel Troops Remain Certain They Can Hold Off Enemy With Ease - The white mercenaries, bombarded and besieged in Bukavu, now slip a few words of respect into their usually contemptuous talk about their foes, the African soldiers of the Congolese army. Although there are negotiations about a Red Cross evacuation, most mercenaries are still convinced they can defend Bukavu from the thousands of Congolese soldiers with ease. They also feel that, with less ease, they can cut through the enemy and go anywhere in the Congo they like. But, for the first time, they grudgingly admit that the Congolese soldiers have given them trouble. "This is the first real war we've had to fight," one mercenary officer said. "Fighting the rebels in 1964 wasn't anything at all. And the march down here was nothing compared to this." Bukavu is an old Belgian colonial resort town of red-tiled, white cottages resting in the soft green hills beside Lake Kivu...

related Stanley Meisler articles by topic: