It's another sign that the government believes it is on the verge of politically defeating the LRA. On December 24, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni offered to meet "face to face" with LRA leader Joseph Kony. This is the first Museveni has made the offer. Museveni has said he would never negotiate with Kony and the LRA terrorists. However, during 2004 the military made real progress against the LRA. While the amnesty for LRA rebels hasn't been as productive as the government expected, Kony had to retreat into south Sudan. Uganda claimed a major victory December 26 against an LRA band in northern Uganda. An army infantry unit, supported by armed helicopters, killed 21 LRA thugs and captured six more. The battle took place in the Lango area. A military spokesman indicated that the LRA band was ordered to move into the area by radio-- which suggest radio intercept played a key role in positioning Ugandan Army troops for the firefight. The Ugandan government said the LRA band was not in a "safe" or "peace zone" where LRA rebels can lager without fear of Ugandan attack.