Cablegate: Mixed Commission Begins Work On Investigating

VZCZCXRO2351
PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1378 2421540
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301540Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4709
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001378

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: MIXED COMMISSION BEGINS WORK ON INVESTIGATING
KINSHASA VIOLENCE

REF: A. KINSHASA 1357

B. KINSHASA 1355

1. (U) The first session of the newly established Mixed
Commission -- bringing together representatives of President
Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba -- was held
August 29 at MONUC headquarters. As reported reftels, the
goals of the Commission are to facilitate a dialogue between
the Kabila and Bemba camps and to investigate the causes and
events of the August 20-22 violence in Kinshasa. The PPRD
delegates at the meeting included presidential security
adviser Samba Kaputo, military adviser General Denis Kalume,
and counselor Marcellin Cisambo. Representing the MLC were
Minister of Budget and MLC Secretary General Francois Mwamba,
National Assembly President Thomas Luhaka, and Minister of
Plan Delly Sesanga.

2. (U) According to a communique released by MONUC, the
meeting between the two sides took place in a "constructive
climate." The first order of business for the Commission was
to establish terms of reference for the Commission itself. In
addition, the delegates decided to create two subcommittees.
The first will launch an independent investigation to
establish the facts surrounding the August 20-22 events in
Kinshasa. The second subcommittee will define the rules of
conduct for both parties to follow during the campaign
leading up to the second round run-off election October 29.
The subcommittees, whose members had not yet been determined,
began their work August 30.

3. (U) The MONUC communique stated that both sides promised
full collaboration with the investigation, pledging as well
to remain engaged in the electoral process.

4. (SBU) Comment: The creation of the Mixed Commission is
another step intended to help defuse the tensions following
the recent violence in Kinshasa. While it is doubtful any
responsibility will be assigned at least in the near term for
the August 20-22 events, the Commission at the very least
forces senior representatives of Kabila and Bemba to meet
together. Kabila and Bemba themselves need to meet
face-to-face, however -- something the CIAT, MONUC, the
Eminent Persons Committee, and others are pressing both to do
as soon as possible. End comment.
MEECE

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