This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001677 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/07/2015 
TAGS: PREL MARR PGOV KPKO CG UG
SUBJECT: LRA UPDATE: FARDC MISSION POSSIBLE SUNDAY/MONDAY 
 
REF: A. (A) STATE 186560 
 
     ¶B. (B) KINSHASA 1667 AND PREVIOUS 
 
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d. 
 
¶1. (C)  The CIAT (International Committee to Accompany the 
Transition) meeting October 6 was briefed by General Babacar 
Gaye (MONUC Force Commander) on LRA-related developments. 
Gaye confirmed that MONUC has transported about 522 FARDC 
troops to Aba and said they expect to have the necessary two 
battalions (over 800 men) in Aba by Sunday. Gaye reported at 
least one of the two ballallions is an integrated unit, 
trained by the Angolans. (Note:  We have repeatedly been told 
by the FARDC that at least two battalions are needed to 
enable the mission to proceed. End Note.)  MONUC also will 
begin October 7 airlifting 17 tons of ammunition (much of 
which we understand is being given to the FARDC by MONUC) 
from Kisangani to Aba.  Gaye also confirmed MONUC's intent to 
fly attack helicopters in support of the FARDC mission, but 
repeated that MONUC did not plan to deploy ground troops to 
Aba. 
 
¶2. (C) Ambassador pushed back, stressing that the success of 
the planned operation is of great importance, an outcome that 
would be better assured by having at least MONUC reserve 
ground troops in Aba to used if needed.  EU Great Lakes 
Special Envoy Aldo Ajello supported the position, stressing 
the "riskiness" of appearing to rely on the FARDC two 
ballalions even with MONUC gunship support. Gaye, however, 
stuck to his position, stressing Congolese (Army Commander) 
Kisempia's determination to use the Aba operation as a key 
opportunity to "prove the worth of FARDC, a position with 
which Gaye seemed to agree.  The Nigeria Ambassador supported 
this approach; no other Ambassadors addressed the issue. Gaye 
also noted that he and Kisempia are scheduled to travel to 
Kampala on Friday, October 14, for consultations with Ugandan 
authorities. Following the CIAT meeting, the Ambassador spoke 
with Ross Mountain, action SRSG, again stressing that it 
would seem prudent and useful to have MONUC ground capability 
stationed in the area, and again Ajello weighed in as well. 
Mountain appeared concerned, and at least some MONUC staff on 
the margins were also suggesting the approach should be 
reviewed.  Subsequent discussion indicated new MONUC 
discussions on the subject were to be held Thursday evening. 
A MONUC planning officer told PolCouns Thursday evening that 
plans for a MONUC ground deployment (either of the Guatemalan 
commandos or elements of the Pakistani unit) had already been 
made and that MONUC military is simply awaiting a decision by 
the political leaders in Kinshasa. The Ambassador was also 
told that MONUC had received late Thursday evening a written 
request from the GDRC to assist with the capture of Vincent 
Otti, per the recently-issued ICC arrest warrants, an element 
that could also factor into MONUC plans and decisions. 
 
¶3. (C)  National Security Advisor Samba Kaputo confirmed to 
PolCouns October 6 that President Kabila has replaced Sixth 
Regional Military Commander General Padiri as operational 
commander of the upcoming FARDC mission against the LRA.  The 
new commander, already in Aba, is General Ndimo, Chief of 
Staff to Army Chief Kisempia.  Samba Kaputo said that the 
change was made because the troops sent for the mission are 
from outside Padiri's military district and it was not clear 
that he actually had authority over them.  (Comment:  More 
likely Ndimo was sent out because he is one of the military 
officers with a direct link to President Kabila, and 
therefore can call the President directly if necessary, a 
privilege that Padiri does not enjoy.  End Comment.)  Padiri 
has returned to his headquarters in Kisangani and is 
providing operational support (ensuring timely dispatch of 
remaining troops and supplies from Kisangani to Aru for 
onward transport by MONUC to Aba). 
 
¶4. (C)  General Gaye told the CIAT that a FADRC officer, 
accompanied by MONUC's acting chief of office in Bunia, will 
fly October 7 to Aba to present a "last chance" disarmament 
proposal to the LRA.  If not accepted (as seems likely to be 
the case), the FARDC action against the LRA could begin 
Sunday or Monday, according to the new FARDC commander in 
charge of the operation, General Ndimo. 
 
¶5. (C)  Comment: The GDRC appears determined to try to launch 
a military action against the LRA sometime toward the end of 
the weekend.  We can confirm that at least some LRA members 
were still in the Aba area as of October 5, when Padiri 
himself counted about 100. Interestingly, a pro-government 
(read PPRD) Congolese newspaper reported October 7 that Otti 
and most of the LRA force have returned to Sudan, although 
neither MONUC nor the Congolese can confirm this. The 
Congolese continue to coordinate closely with MONUC, although 
the degree of field operational coordination with UPDF forces 
across the border remains unclear. End 
Comment 
MEECE