INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Congolese Parliament Wraps Up Special Session

Published: Tue 29 Jan 2008 04:25 PM
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R 291625Z JAN 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7436
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
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RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000096
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SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: Congolese Parliament wraps up special session
1. Congo's National Assembly and Senate adopted legislation on the
2008 budget and on the status of the political opposition during
their December 15-January 15 special sessions. Both laws are now in
force after having been reviewed by the Supreme Court and
promulgated by President Kabila. Members of opposition parties
subsequently approved internal rules to pave the way for election or
designation of their official spokesman.
2. The two chambers went into special session following the end of
the September 15-December 15 fall session to complete work on the
2008 budget. They also called in several ministers and vice
ministers, and augmented their agendas to include consideration of
the Great Lakes peace and security pact as well as draft legislation
on corruption, the political opposition, political party financing,
exploitation and production of petroleum in maritime zones of common
interest, sustainable management of Lake Tanganyika, restrictions on
circulation of foreigners in mining zones, decentralization, a
magistrates council and national electoral commission.
3. Several parliamentarians from both pro-Kabila and opposition
factions told us members were unable to deal with the full agenda
because many were heavily involved in the Kivus peace and security
conference. Measures not adopted during the special session will be
placed on the agenda for the next regular session, scheduled March
15 through June 15. One pro-Kabila member identified key
legislation to be considered during that session as
decentralization, the national electoral commission and the high
council of magistrates.
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