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PP RUEHBZ
DE RUCNDT #0744/01 2552158
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 122158Z SEP 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2574
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE PRIORITY
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0255
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 0304
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 0239
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 1293
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2849
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000744 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF, IO, AND PRM; USAID FOR DCHA; NSC FOR PMARCHAM; 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH; ROME FOR HSPANOS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PREF UNSC CG XA
SUBJECT: UNSC: U/SYG HOLMES ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DR 
CONGO 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000744  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  (U) Summary.  On September 11, UN Under Secretary for 
Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes briefed the Security Council 
in a closed session on the humanitarian situation in the 
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).  Based on his recent 
field visit to DRC, Holmes outlined continuing humanitarian 
needs, particularly in the eastern region, while also noting 
some progress towards recovery following elections and an end 
to fighting in most areas of the country.  Holmes expressed 
particular concern over widespread sexual violence, calling 
on the international community to continue to treat the 
victims of such atrocities while working more effectively to 
prevent them.  Holmes reported that the Cluster Approach 
provides an effective coordination framework for the UN's 
humanitarian efforts, but he emphasized that the DRC Action 
Plan remains significantly under-funded. 
 
¶2.  (U) Summary continued.  Holmes urged stronger political 
dialogue, both within DRC and with its neighbors, to address 
the root causes of the long-term conflict and to prevent its 
spreading to neighboring countries.  Security Council members 
echoed support for Holmes' message, supporting continued 
humanitarian assistance, the continuation of MONUC's role in 
protecting civilians, and more robust political efforts to 
develop a comprehensive solution to the crisis.  Following 
the consultations and with the agreement of all members, 
France, as Security Council President, released a press 
statement expressing the Council's deep concern and calling 
for all parties to initiate a dialogue to end the conflict. 
End summary. 
 
¶3.  (U) Holmes' assessment of the humanitarian situation in 
DRC following his recent mission depicted some improvement, 
including the overall reduction of internally displaced 
persons (IDPs) over the last four years from 3.4 million to 
1.2 million, the establishment of some democratic 
institutions, and general stability in many parts of the 
country.  However, he expressed grave concern over continuing 
humanitarian needs, characterized by severe malnutrition and 
high levels of displacement in some areas following recent 
violence, as well as widespread chronic disease and the 
virtual absence of infrastructure in much of the country. 
 
¶4.  (U) Holmes noted that North and South Kivu account 
together for close to one million IDPs, which is ninety per 
cent of the total national caseload (with two-thirds of that 
number in North Kivu, including 300,000 since November 2006). 
 Holmes reported redoubled efforts by UN agencies, NGOs and 
the Red Cross in Mugunga, North Kivu, including emergency 
mass registration of IDPs for the distribution of food and 
shelter material, but he warned that current capacities are 
overstretched.  Holmes also noted worrying trends that 
displaced populations appear to be self-segregated along 
ethnic lines and that the current conflict has the potential 
to spill into neighboring countries. 
 
¶5.  (U) Among a range of ongoing humanitarian concerns, 
Holmes stressed sexual violence as a particularly disturbing 
feature of the DRC conflict.  He cited 15,000 victims of 
sexual violence treated in Panzi Hospital near Bukavu since 
it opened in 1999, and he speculated that many more women go 
untreated due to the ostracism associated with such attacks. 
He called on the international community to continue to treat 
victims of sexual violence as well as to find better ways to 
prevent it.  Holmes called on the DRC government to put into 
place a "justice system worthy of the name" to address the 
current culture of impunity, including the immediate 
implementation of laws on sexual violence that were recently 
passed by the National Assembly.  Holmes identified MONUC's 
commitment to the protection of civilians, including the 
"judicious use of its presence as a deterrent," as 
invaluable.  In response to a number of questions from 
members on what more could be done, Holmes admitted that 
there is "no magic solution," but that there is urgent need 
to continue treatment for victims as well as to enhance 
training of government troops (although he also acknowledged 
that many violations are committed by irregular military 
forces). 
 
¶6.  (U) Turning to the political situation, Holmes noted that 
the complex political and ethnic roots of the conflict must 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000744  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
be tackled through dialogue and negotiation.  He called for 
"strong, urgent and concerted political and diplomatic 
action" by the DRC government, governments in the region, and 
the international community.  Holmes speculated that the 
current ceasefire's danger of collapsing is "extremely high" 
if not accompanied by political dialogue, adding that there 
might be a role for outside mediation.  He commended recent 
efforts by the DRC government to engage in dialogue with 
Rwanda and Uganda.  Asked about any recommendations to DPKO 
following his visit, Holmes responded that he will suggest 
that MONUC force levels not be reduced in the near term and 
that MONUC continue to pursue its protection of civilians 
mandate.  Regarding concerns about ethnic polarization, 
Holmes called on the DRC government to make clear that they 
recognize a political role for the Tutsi community in eastern 
DRC. 
 
¶7.  (U) Member states expressed unanimous concern about the 
humanitarian situation in DRC, including the potential 
spill-over of the conflict to neighboring countries.  Many 
thanked Holmes for his attempts to galvanize international 
attention and support.  Stressing that there can be no 
military solution to the conflict in eastern DRC, many 
members echoed Holmes' call for expanded political dialogue, 
both internally and within the region.  Belgium noted that 
natural resources and their management are an important 
element in the conflict and therefore need to be addressed. 
 
¶8.  (U) The U.S. intervention expressed concern about the 
recent fighting in eastern DRC and its humanitarian impact on 
civilian populations.  Ambassador Sanders also noted concern 
over the World Food Program's (WFP) pipeline, which is under 
increased strain due to the additional needs from recent 
displacement.  Holmes responded that he is carefully watching 
the WFP pipeline and announced that the Common Humanitarian 
Fund (CHF) in DRC recently allocated an additional $3 million 
to WFP.  More resources could be allocated from the CHF or 
the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) if needed, 
according to Holmes.  In response to a U.S. question, Holmes 
also stated that the Cluster Approach, which is being pilot 
tested in DRC, has provided an effective coordination 
framework at national and local levels.  Holmes added that 
humanitarian coordination in DRC is "not perfect," 
particularly in the health sector, but that the Cluster 
Approach has proved beneficial in strengthening leadership 
and addressing gaps in coverage. 
 
¶9.  (U) With the agreement of all Security Council members, 
France, as Security Council President, released a press 
statement expressing the Council's concern about recent 
fighting in North Kivu and urging all parties to comply with 
international humanitarian law.  The statement called for the 
Congolese authorities to address impunity, particularly with 
regard to sexual violence and abuse against women and 
children.  In addition, it demanded that illegal armed groups 
lay down their arms and urged the Congolese authorities to 
redouble efforts to seek a comprehensive political solution 
to the conflict. 
KHALILZAD