VZCZCXRO1228
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0534/01 1691145
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171145Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8131
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000534
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL EAID CG UN EUN
SUBJECT: Shortley and van de Geer discuss eastern Congo programs
with UN agencies and donor representatives
1. (SBU) Summary: Representatives of UN agencies briefed AF Senior
Adviser Tim Shortley and EU Special Envoy Roeland van de Geer on
their programs in eastern Congo June 2 in Kinshasa. UN programs
include opening strategic road axes, extension of state authority,
refugee return and agricultural development. These are hampered by
funding gaps and security and humanitarian problems. Shortley and
van de Geer called for additional donor funding to support the Goma
and Nairobi processes. Shortley noted a lack of coordination by
donors, and said many of their activities in the east do not
necessarily meet the needs of stabilization. End summary.
2. (SBU) A/S Frazer's Senior Adviser Tim Shortley and EU Great
Lakes Special Envoy Roeland van de Geer met with the heads of UN
agencies and representatives of major donors June 2 in Kinshasa.
The UN agencies provided a briefing on their activities in eastern
Congo. Shortley and van de Geer stressed to donors the need for
additional funding and coordination to support the Goma and Nairobi
processes.
Meeting with UN agencies
------------------------
3. (SBU) The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is
taking the lead on opening six priority road axes in the east. The
total estimated cost for this project is $70 million; however, with
only $33 million available at the moment, UNOPS can only begin work
to open three of the six axes. In order of priority, these are:
Sake-Masisi; Bukavu-Hombo; and Bunia-Boga. UNOPS has the capacity
to restore full access along the Sake-Masisi and Bukavu-Hombo axes
by the end of the year if no major security constraint is
encountered. Aside from funding problems, a key challenge is the
difficulty of drawing on overtaxed MONUC engineering assets.
4. (SBU) The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is working
on projects related to community development and reconciliation and
extension of state authority. They are planning to target donors
which may have money available in the short-term.
5. (SBU) The Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
is working on tripartite agreements between DRC and Uganda and DRC
and Burundi. The largest problems continue to relate to the UNHRC
tripartite for Congolese refugees in Rwanda, of which there are
approximately 45,000, and how to work out their return. There is
also a need to clarify the status of FDLR members.
6. (SBU) The World Food Program (WFP) stressed the problem of the
food pipeline break of 89,000 metric tons in the east. People will
be on half rations until October. The problem has been compounded
by the fact that Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania have all
blocked food exports.
7. (SBU) The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has the task
of rehabilitating major agricultural production centers in the east,
particularly in North Kivu. Key challenges include access to
markets and seed and the need to increase household income, which
will free up more money for production.
8. (SBU) The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) highlighted
their work in assisting returnees get back on their feet. However,
they are faced with significant problems, particularly food security
and the lack of infrastructure and legitimate state authority. The
UNICEF representative also noted that they are screening for child
soldiers within the ranks of armed groups.
Meeting with donors
-------------------
9. (SBU) Shortley and van de Geer stressed the need for additional
financing to support the Goma and Nairobi processes in their meeting
with major donors. Shortley cited a lack of coordination between
donors funding the processes, and noted that there is a very narrow
timeframe to ensure that both are fully successful.
10. (SBU) A key issue is to determine which projects need immediate
implementation and those that are more long-term. MONUC D/SRSG
Mountain's chief of staff presented an overview of the UN
stabilization plan for Eastern Congo, highlighting key items
including brassage and transit centers. USAID Mission Director
noted that the donor group meets regularly and can work out a
coordination plan to support the Goma and Nairobi processes. Many
donors highlighted their development and stabilization activities in
the east. Shortley pointed out that these activities do not
necessarily meet the needs of stabilization.
11. (SBU) Shortley and van de Geer also discussed with the group
KINSHASA 00000534 002 OF 002
the capacity of NGOs to increase their activities in the east,
ensuring that people in North Kivu are involved in designing these
projects, and the ability of donor countries to ensure additional
funding in the short term.
12. (SBU) This message was cleared by Senior Advisor Shortley.
GARVELINK