VZCZCXRO5579
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0984 3121129
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071129Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8744
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 000984
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 7, 2008,
AS OF 12:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1)
REFS: (A) KINSHASA 972
(B) KINSHASA 980
1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise indicated.
2. (U) The items contained in this situation report consist
principally of spot information from various sources. This report
is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be
confirmed at this time.
Security Situation in Goma and Surrounding Area
--------------------------------------------- --
3. (SBU) The EAC met at 8 AM (septel) on November 7. Based on the
recommendations of TDY DS agent Jim Landis and the improved security
situation in Goma, the EAC decided to allow USG staff in the area
24/7 access to Goma. Travel to Goma for others will continue to be
based on COM approval. The lightly armored vehicle, which Embassy
Kigali has provided (ref A), should be operational today in Goma.
4. (SBU) MONUC has reinforced Goma with an additional 320 soldiers,
bringing the total to 1,000 in the town. However, because of the
terrain - suburbs stretching out to forest and lava fields - it is
impossible to completely prevent CNDP infiltration into Goma. If
Goma is attacked, MONUC's fallback plan is to concentrate on
securing key sites - UN facilities, the Governor's office, the
Provincial Assembly, and the airport.
5. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported at a November 6 briefing that
there was no evidence of any systematic killings of civilians at
Kiwanja (ref B). MONUC said there were seven civilians killed, in
what they thought was crossfire between PARECO and CNDP forces.
MONUC added that some of the civilian dead may have been PARECO
combatants in civilian clothes. Despite MONUC assurances, there are
persistent reports circulating that much larger numbers of civilians
were killed at Kiwanja.
6. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that the CNDP attacked and
captured a FARDC camp near Nyanzale on November 6. The FARDC 15th
integrated brigade fled before the attack, leading MONUC to believe
it had been tipped off about CNDP action. Separately, there are
reports of Rwandan Defense Force units concentrating in the Nyungwe
Forest in Rwanda, just east of Bukavu. At the same time, rumors
continue about CNDP infiltration at Kavumu, near the Bukavu
airport.
Political Developments
----------------------
7. (U) Press reporting notes the opening of the summit in Nairobi
today to address the crisis in North Kivu. The UN Secretary General
will be present with Presidents Kabila and Kagame. Other heads of
state, including those from South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and
Burundi will be there as well. The CNDP declared that it does not
expect any solution from the summit, and reiterated its demand for
direct talks with the GDRC.
8. (SBU) Persistent and credible reports continue to circulate that
the GDRC will soon agree to direct talks with the CNDP (level
uncertain), and that senior military commanders in North Kivu will
be replaced. Post continues to seek confirmation on both these
issues.
Next Report
-----------
9. (U) Embassy will continue to closely monitor the issues
connected to the crisis in North Kivu but, barring unforeseen
circumstances, the next situation report will not be issued before
Monday, November 10.
BROCK