Cablegate: Bemba's Actions Don't Match His Rhetoric

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PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1154 2000958
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 190958Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4411
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
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RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001154

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ELECTIONS CG
SUBJECT: BEMBA'S ACTIONS DON'T MATCH HIS RHETORIC

1. (SBU) A planned CODECO rally at Bukavu's town stadium on
Monday, July 16 was the forum for a display of bullying by
Vice President Bemba. Pierre Pay Pay, presidential candidate
under the CODECO banner, had reserved the stadium for
Monday's coveted 1300 time slot for a political rally.
Before the rally could take place however, Bemba arrived at
the stadium and began speaking. MONUC-sponsored Radio Okapi
and local embassy contacts report that Bemba's bodyguards
threatened Pay Pay and his supporters until they left the
stadium. The CODECO rally has been rescheduled for July 18.

2. (SBU) Comment: Despite Bemba's public rhetoric of
moderation and calls for elections peace, he often resorts to
thuggish tactics in campaigning. This is another recent
example of Bemba's inability to rein in his bad behavior even
when it advertises to voters exactly the kind of president he
would make. Last week in Kananga, Bemba publicly said he
would "send the country up in flames" if there was elections
fraud, a.k.a. if he lost. Belatedly, he is now trying to
deny he said any such thing and has challenged anyone to
produce proof he actually said the words -- foolishly,
because the statement was broadcast on Radio Okapi. End
comment.
MEECE

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