VZCZCXRO6358
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1777 3261150
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221150Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5201
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001777 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ASEC KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: VIOLENCE STRIKES COURTHOUSE, DELIBERATIONS AND 
FINAL DECISION DELAYED 
 
REF: KINSHASA 1765 
 
¶1. (U) Summary:  Supporters of presidential candidate 
Jean-Pierre Bemba clashed with police November 21 at the 
Supreme Court building on the initial day of hearings on 
Bemba's chalenges to provisional presidential election 
resuls announced on November 15.  No American citizens ere 
involved, although an Embassy political assitant was present 
throughout the confrontation. Sme documents related to 
Bemba's legal challenge wre reportedly destroyed, but the 
Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) has copies of all 
election materials.  Court deliberations may not be able to 
resume for 48-72 hours.  The 7th Integrated Brigade of the 
national army (FARDC) has been deployed to the area around 
the Court, replacing the Congolese police forces who fled the 
confrontation.  The Committee to Support the Transition 
(CIAT) plans to issue a statement condemning the violence and 
calling for both side to do the same.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (U)  Violenceinstigated by supporters of presidential 
candidae Jean-Pierre Bemba broke out on November 21, thefirst day of Supreme Court hearings on challenges o the 
electoral results brought by Bemba's Movemnt for the 
Liberation of the Congo (MLC) party (ef A).  A crowd 
estimated at 200 clashed with poice, beat at least one 
officer, destroyed vehicle, set fire to a court building and 
court records and looted adjacent offices. 
 
¶3. (U) The disturance began at about 11:20 when a crowd of 
Bemba upporters -- apparently intent upon provocation -- 
approached the Supreme Court, beating on cars wit sticks, 
throwing rocks, and trying to destroy plice vehicles.  The 
Court had recently taken a recess during its hearing on 
Bemba's electoral challenge, but justices and observers were 
still inside the building.  After members of the National 
Congolese Police (PNC) fired shots into the air to disperse 
the crowd, followed by teargas, unidentified members of the 
crowd returned fire.  The police "retreated," with some 
witnesses reporting that many police jettisoned their 
uniforms and fled.  About 150 MONUC peacekeepers were 
dispatched to the scene at about 12:00, where they took up 
position and stabilized the situation. 
 
¶4. (U)  One of the Court's annexes was completely destroyed 
by fire and the exterior of the main Court building showed 
signs of smoke damage.  Reports indicate that the crowd 
pillaged computers, office supplies and other personal 
effects from Court buildings, and looted an adjacent building 
belonging to the city government.  The extent of the damage 
has not yet been assessed, but some Court records relevant to 
Bemba's electoral challenge were reportedly destroyed. 
Although the CEI maintains copies of all electoral documents, 
the disruption could delay the Court's deliberations by 48 to 
72 hours. 
 
¶5. (U)  The CIAT met on November 21 and discussed the 
situation.  A communique condemning the violence is to be 
issued on November 22.. 
 
¶6. (SBU)  Comment.  A potentially explosive situation was 
fortunately brought under control thanks to the quick 
response of MONUC peacekeepers.  Also fortunate is the fact 
that, despite the close proximity of the disturbance to 
Bemba's office and residence, none of his uniformed militia 
were drawn in and the violence did not escalate.  The failure 
of the Congolese police, however, was particularly worrisome. 
Eyewitnesses reported policemen stripping off their uniforms, 
laying down their arms, and fleeing.  This left a gap through 
which the crowd gained access to the Courthouse.  Minister of 
the Interior Denis Kalume has now requested deployment of 
members of the FARDC 7th Integrated Brigade in their place. 
This deployment was made the evening of November 21.  The 
presence of FARDC troops at the Court and other key trouble 
spots carries its own risks during an already tense period. 
End comment. 
MEECE