VZCZCXRO8135
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0696/01 2381655
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 251655Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8334
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 000696
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: MINUTES OF THE AUGUST 15 MEETING OF THE JOINT MONITORING
GROUP TASK FORCE
1. No U.S. representative attended the August 15 meeting in Goma of
the Joint Monitoring Group Task Force. In the interest of ensuring
that Washington and other addressees remain informed of the Task
Force's deliberations, post is transmitting the following official
minutes from the meeting:
SUMMARY OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Joint Monitoring Group
35th Meeting of the Task Force
Goma, August 15, 2008
The thirty-fifth meeting of the Task Force (TF) of the Joint
Monitoring Group (JMG) was held in Goma on August 15, 2008, as
scheduled. The major highlight was a briefing from the Director of
DDRRR Philip Lancaster on the number of combatants that surrendered
in Kasiki on July 31, as well as detailed information on the weapons
that were handed in.
In attendance were representatives of GoDRC (Col. Augustin Mamba),
GoRwa (Mr. Burabyo James) as well as the AU (Lt. Col. Capo Chi-chi
Jean) UN (Mr. Archibald Moiwo), RSA (Ms. Mpho Masetlha), ICGL (Mr.
Roger Nsibula) and EU. The EU representative (Mr. Bernard Sexe)
chaired the meeting.
Summary of DDRRR briefing
On August 15, 2008, DDRRR Director Philip Lancaster briefed the
JMG-TF about the official disarmament ceremony of the first group of
RUD combatants which took place on July 31 at Kasiki. He clarified
that MONUC and the GoDRC supported the activity. He explained that
the event was important because it signals the commencement of the
disarmament process of the ex FAR-Interahamwe in DRC in a context
where there were fears that RUD might not honor its commitment even
though it had signed the road map for disarmament and relocation.
He pointed out that a total of 64 cadres with 72 of their dependants
surrendered with 41 weapons and 24 bullets. The current problem in
the Kasiki camp is that the troops have disarmed but not
demobilized. DDRRR has very little access to them in order to
sensitize them for repatriation. RUD leadership has strict control
over the rank and file. According to DDRRR, the RUD leadership
needs to agree to register its cadres, as well as give access to
DDRRR teams to sensitize them for repatriation, without which
progress will be difficult. The Director explained that although 41
weapons and 24 bullets were too few, it was the beginning of a slow
process. On the question of repatriation statistics, the difference
in figures between DDRRR and GoRwa was not a problem of definition,
but identification. The procedures used to determine a combatant by
both are different. The GoRwa uses more skilled persons and
techniques and the competencies of both identification teams are not
the same. However, the GoRwa and DDRRR have now established a
mechanism to reconcile figures at Mutobo (in Rwanda) and the process
is already midway. DDRRR promised to provide the reconciliation
figures to JMG-TF at the August 22 meeting. Finally it was
mentioned that there is progress in repatriation. From November
2007 to August 2008, a total of 823 individuals including 447
combatants, 19 CAAGs and 357 dependents, have been repatriated to
Rwanda. In August 2008, 32 combatants and 50 dependents have so far
been repatriated. The weapons handed in by the RUD ex-combatants
were reported to be with MONUC military in Kanyabayonga and would be
brought to Goma in a few days from the time of this report. The
process of destruction will take place thereafter. The DDRRR
Director further revealed that there is some reluctance in some
areas, among the local traditional chiefs to take on FDLR
ex-combatants for relocation in their areas. He opined that in the
light of these difficulties, disarming the RUD combatants in their
zone should be considered as progress, although modest, in the
repatriation efforts.
The Rwandese delegation expressed their concern about a DDRRR
unofficial draft document that was inadvertently given to the
participants, relating the Kasiki disarmament ceremony with a
comment on a photograph saying "inter-Rwandese dialogue?" There
were few other inaccuracies observed in the document. MONUC DDRRR
regretted the circulation of this unofficial document and requested
its immediate withdrawal.
Recommendations to the Special Envoys
No recommendations were given by the JMG-TF during this meeting.
Minutes of the last meeting
After frank discussions on terminologies, and with the goodwill of
KINSHASA 00000696 002 OF 002
all participants, the minutes of the 33rd and 34th meetings were
adopted. The meeting agreed that only salient points must be stated
in minutes of field visits.
Agenda for next meeting
1. Introductory Remarks
2. Elaborate on recommendations for JMG /TF field visits
3. Discussion of next field visit: GoDRC and GoRwa
4. Recommendation to the Special Envoys
5. Minutes of the last meeting
6. AOB
7. Agenda for the next meeting
8. Closing Remarks
AOB
There was a suggestion to have JMG/TF meetings on Wednesdays instead
of Fridays. The proposal was briefly discussed and decision was
deferred to next session (22 August) under AOB.
End official minutes of JMG/TF meeting.
GARVELINK