Cablegate: Situation Report for Drc - November 4, 2008,

VZCZCXRO2559
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0964 3091133
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041133Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8717
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 KINSHASA 000964

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 4, 2008,
AS OF 12:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1)

REF: KINSHASA 963

1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise
indicated.

Security Situation in Goma
--------------------------

2. (SBU) The EAC met today at 11:00 AM and decided to maintain the
current mandate that USG employees return to Gisenyi during
nighttime hours (septel). Efforts will be made to ensure that
employees cross the borders in the DRC at the earliest possible
moment and that they return to Rwanda as late as possible to ensure
maximum working time in Goma. The EAC will revisit this issue again
on Friday.

3. (SBU) USAID officer TDY in Goma/Gisenyi reported that, according
to MONUC military contacts, there is no evidence that the CNDP has
physically taken Nyanzale and reinforced positions there (reftel).
Her contacts noted as well that two FARDC Generals in the north, who
have a track record of not following orders, had appeared to be
moving soldiers toward some CNDP positions, but were intercepted by
MONUC yesterday and have pulled back. In addition, MONUC is looking
at options for redeployment of peacekeepers from relatively calm
areas to assist in Goma reinforcements.

4. (SBU) USAID officer noted that the situation in Goma itself
appears to be calm. Banks, shops, and schools are open and FARDC
soldiers, who were armed with heavy weapons on November 2, have
switched to light weapons (AK-47s) or are not carrying weapons at
all.

Humanitarian Developments
-------------------------

5. (SBU) USAID officer also reported that a number of NGO's said
that they are planning or are deploying field missions today, and a
number report normal operations in their usual areas. WFP has begun
delivering food in some locations.

Political Developments
----------------------

6. (SBU) The Assistant Secretary's Special advisor for conflict
resolution, Tim Shortley, is due to arrive in Goma today from
Kampala. He is expected to remain in eastern Congo until later this
week when he will go to Kinshasa. He is set to return to Washington
this weekend.

7. (SBU) EU Special Representative Roeland van de Geer is scheduled
to meet General John Numbi, chief of the National Police, today in
Goma at 11:00 AM local time. (Note: a MONUC contact told Poloff
November 3 that there are rumors National Police Chief General John
Numbi will be nominated as Chief of Staff of the FARDC, replacing
Kayembe. End note.)

8. (SBU) Press reports note that GDRC spokesperson Mende Omalanga
declared November 3 that the government will not engage in direct
talks with the CNDP, as this would give preference to the CNDP over
the other armed groups in the area and undermine the constitution.
Nkunda, in a radio interview with Radio France International,
threatened to overthrow the Kabila government if it refused direct
negotiations. (Note: According to a number of contacts, there have
been no contacts yet between Nkunda and a GDRC representative.
General Numbi, now in Goma, and PM Adolphe Muzito, who is scheduled
to arrive there today, are frequently mentioned as candidates to
represent the GDRC in a meeting with Nkunda. End note.)

9. (U) General Babacar Gaye will return to his position as MONUC
Force Commander for a maximum period of six months while MONUC looks
for a permanent replacement. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has
nominated former Nigerian President Obasanjo as special envoy to
spearhead diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions between the DRC and
Rwanda. An AU envoy has also been named and is expected to arrive
in Kinshasa on Wednesday.

BROCK

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