Cablegate: Sitrep 25: Kinshasa Remains Calm (8/23 1700)

VZCZCXYZ0016
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #1342 2351604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 231604Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4661
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001342

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC KPKO CG
SUBJECT: SITREP 25: KINSHASA REMAINS CALM (8/23 1700)

REF: KINSHASA 1340 AND OTHERS

1. (U) As dusk falls in Kinshasa, observers are hopeful that
relative calm will hold throughout the night and during the
next days while political and military leaders continue
working to resolve the conflict in Kinshasa.

2. (SBU) Contacts from the embassies of South Africa, Canada
and Japan confirmed that their missions were also returning
to normal operations. Japanese contacts did state that their
employees were leaving at 15:00 local time on Wednesday, but
all missions are expected to be open for business as usual on
Thursday, August 24. All U.S. Mission operations will be
open at the usual time tomorrow. The American School of
Kinshasa plans to resume classes as well.

3. (SBU) RSO evaluated conditions and conferred with other
security contacts, and then authorized Mission personnel to
resume use of POVs. Mission personnel and Amcits have been
advised to remain at home and indoors during evening hours.

4. (SBU) Evidence of the earlier violence continues to
surface. RSO confirmed that four bodies, all wearing police
uniforms, were found the morning of August 23 at the Supreme
Court in Gombe. The policemen had not apparently been shot,
and in fact, no shots were reported in that vicinity after
dark fell on Tuesday evening. Some contacts reported
continued looting but this appeared to be groups of civilians
taking advantage of buildings or sites which were damaged
during the past few days. No credible reports of troop
movements or of renewed conflict have been received.
MEECE

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