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Cablegate: Eastern Drc Notes - December 8

Published: Mon 8 Dec 2008 12:35 PM
VZCZCXRO0788
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1082 3431235
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081235Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8872
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 001082
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 8
REF: KINSHASA 1044
1. (U) The items contained in this 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
------------------
2. (SBU) OCHA Goma reported that FARDC elements looted 28 houses in
Kanyabayonga the night of December 4-5. Additionally, fighting was
reported between PARECO and CNDP at Busumba, approximately 13
kilometers southwest of Mweso, to which the population apparently
fled.
3. (SBU) MONUC informed the DART team in Goma that on December 5
there were reports of fighting between two different factions of
PARECO in the towns of Kahira, Kisa, and Tambe in Masisi area.
Humanitarian agencies on the same day reported a rumor of a
significant Mai-Mai buildup in Vitshumbi, on Lake Edward, and
further rumors of a planned attack on Kiwanja.
4. (SBU) Additionally, according to local sources, the populations
of Kayna and Kirumba, in the Grand Nord, are concerned about
potential clashes between the Lafontaine faction of PARECO and FARDC
forces. (Note: Such clashes could corroborate reftel report of a
possible entente forming between the CNDP and the Lafontaine group,
owing to mutual hostility towards FARDC human rights abuses against
local populations. End note)
Political Developments
----------------------
5. (U) Press reporting notes that the CNDP has threatened to walk
away from talks scheduled to take place in Nairobi today with the
GDRC if the government insists upon including the Mai-Mai groups
signatory to the Goma accords. (Note: Press reporting from the
weekend stated that the government announced that the Mai-Mai would
be part of the talks in Nairobi. End note) The Mai-Mai, at the
same time, have reportedly threatened to withdraw from the Amani
process, if the CNDP is granted separate talks with the government.
6. (U) EU Foreign Ministers will discuss today how to provide a
"bridging force" in the DRC to help bolster security until
additional UN forces arrive, according to a USEU report of High
Representative Solana's statement today to the press. (Note: This
is a shift from previous reporting, which suggested that an EU force
for the DRC was not likely. End note)
LRA Negotiator in Kinshasa
--------------------------
7. (U) Riek Machar, Vice-President of the autonomous region of
Southern Sudan and mediator in the Juba peace initiative, met with
DRC President Kabila December 5. A GDRC source told the press that
Machar briefed Kabila about continued difficulties in the
negotiations between the LRA and the Ugandan Government.
GARVELINK
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