Cablegate: Eminent Persons Committee Urges All to Contribute

VZCZCXRO3021
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1601 2911457
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181457Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4980
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 001601

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: EMINENT PERSONS COMMITTEE URGES ALL TO CONTRIBUTE
TO DRC ELECTION STABILITY

REF: KINSHASA 1536

1. (U) The Eminent Persons Committee, chaired by former
Mozambique president Joachim Chissano, issued a
statement October 14 calling on all Congolese to contribute
to the stability of the DRC's electoral process. The
statement followed a series of meetings by the Committee with
political officials in Kinshasa, including President Joseph
Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba, the two
candidates in the October 29 presidential runoff.

2. (U) The declaration called on all to remain resolved to
ensure the restoration of peace in Congo. It recommended
that all political actors share their visions for the future
of the country and refrain from basing their campaigns on
appeals to hatred, discrimination or violence. It again
deplored the acts of violence that took place in Kinshasa
July 27 and August 20-22 for their negative effects on the
confidence of voters. It reiterated an earlier call for the
military to be confined to its barracks, and reminded all
that power cannot be obtained through violence.

3. (U) Chissano also met with the interim President of the
newly-elected National Assembly during his brief visit to
Kinshasa. He said he was satisfied with preparations for the
October vote and expressed optimism for a successful outcome.
He departed for Maputo October 15 and will return to the DRC
October 25.
MEECE

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