INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Brazza in Brief September 7 2007

Published: Fri 7 Sep 2007 05:54 PM
R 071754Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0745
INFO AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE
UNCLAS BRAZZAVILLE 000368
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/C WYCOFF, K, OSBORNE R
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PGOV PINR EAID PHUM SCUL MARR CF
SUBJECT: BRAZZA IN BRIEF SEPTEMBER 7 2007
1. (U) Frederic Bintsamou, also known as Pastor N'Tumi,
announced he will arrive in Brazzaville on September 10th to
take his appointed position as a Presidential Adviser on
promoting peace in the aftermath of the civil war. Ntumi was
appointed by President Sassou-Nguesso in May 2007 to appease the
demands of the World Bank to promote peace in the RoC. Ntumi has
led the Ninjas in the Pool Region of the RoC since 1998 and has
an estimated army of 5000 rebels. He travels with a force of 36
heavily-armed guards at all times but press reports are showing
his guards packing only mosquito nets and camping equipment. As
of September 7, there are reported to be approximately 75 of his
Ninjas at a local stadium in Brazzaville awaiting N'Tumi's
arrival. Pastor N'Tumi is expected to hold a public meeting on
the afternoon of September 11. President Sassou-Nguesso is
expected to return to Brazzaville late next week.
2. (U) The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Costa
Rica, Mr.Bruno Stagno Ucarte, arrived in Brazzaville to meet
Basile Ikouebi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss
potential cooperative activities. Mr. Ucarte requested the
support of the RoC in their candidacy for a seat on the U.N.
Security Council 2008-2009.
3. (U) Kimberley Process: Denis Lagace, a Director General of
the Canada-Africa Mining Procurement, met with Pierre Oba,
Minister of Mines, to discuss the implementation of necessary
measures for participation in the Kimberley Process. The RoC
lost their membership in 2004 due to the lack of an internal
system of control on diamond processing and marketing. When the
necessary steps and procedures are in place to the satisfaction
of the Kimberley Process delegation, a recommendation to
reinstall RoC into the Kimberley Process will be made.
4. (U) On September 6, ROC Ministers of Agriculture,
Communication and Finance and Midou Ibrahima, Regional
Representative of the World Bank, signed an agreement for
agricultural and rural road development. The total amount
required for the implementation of this project is US$40
million, and the RoC has agreed to contribute US$20 million.
5. (U) President of the Congolese National Assembly, Justin
Koumba, has been mandated to set up an ad hoc committee of 26
members to examine the internal policies and procedures and
financial regulations of the National Assembly.
GREGG
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