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OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0337/01 0991304
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081304Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7867
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0019
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000337 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL CG
SUBJECT: Goma Notes 04/03/08 - Goma Process: Launch of the Joint 
Technical Commission on Peace and Security 
 
 
¶1. (U) Summary.  The Joint Technical Commission on Peace and 
Security, the key implementing body for the Goma accords, was 
officially launched in a ceremony in Goma April 3.  Remarks by 
Congolese and international representatives were upbeat, recognizing 
the challenges and achievements to day, and calling on all to work 
toward solutions to the unresolved crises in the Kivu provinces.  AF 
Senior Adviser Tim Shortley conveyed the congratulations of the 
Secretary and A/S Frazer for accomplishments to date, and that of 
 
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Congress and the White House for the Goma and Nairobi processes. 
The Commission's first meeting was scheduled for the following day. 
End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) Two months after the signing of the Goma accords, the "Amani" 
Program's Joint Technical Commission on Peace and Security was 
officially launched in Goma on April 3 at 1300.  The ceremony was 
just that -- a ceremony -- with press in attendance and the armed 
groups very much in the background.  The ceremony consisted of a 
welcome by Governor Julien Paluku, followed by short speeches by 
Vice Admiral Didier Etumba (co-chairman of the Commission's military 
sub-commission), French Ambassador Bernard Prevost (EU), AF Senior 
Adviser Tim Shortley (U.S.), SRSG Alan Doss (UN), Amani National 
Coordinator Apollinaire Malumalu and finally Interior Minister Denis 
Kalume, chairman of the Amani steering committee. 
 
¶3. (U) Remarks were upbeat, recognizing the challenges and 
achievements to date, and exhorting all participants to find 
solutions to the crisis in North and South Kivu.  Representatives of 
the International Facilitation -- EU, U.S., UN -- (1) condemned 
human rights violations, (2) underscored that this was the only 
process capable of bring peace to the Kivus and called on all 
participants to support it, and (3) reaffirmed their long-term 
commitment to the process. 
 
¶4. (U) There was no opportunity for the armed groups to speak. 
Indeed the GDRC delegation kept its distance from the armed groups 
before (at a GDRC-Facilitation discussion) during and after (at a 
lunch) the ceremony. 
 
¶5. (U) Also in attendance were the deputy defense minister 
(representing Minister Chikez Diemu, who is traveling), North Kivu 
Provincial Assembly President Leon Bariyanga, Vice Governer Feller 
Lutaichirwa, 8th Military Region Commander General Vainqueur Mayala, 
Deputy Commander Colonel Delphin Kahimbi, the head of the defense 
ministry's DDR program, and the government co-chairman of the 
Commission's social and humanitarian sub-commission. 
 
¶6. (U) MONUC was represented by SRSG Doss, Force Commander General 
Babacar Gaye, Deputy Force Commander, Eastern Division Commander and 
Commission Co-Chairman General Bikram Singh, North Kivu Brigade 
Commander General Indrajeet Nayaran, Acting Political Affairs 
Division chief Christian Manahl, North Kivu Head of Office Alpha 
Sow, SRSG Goma representative Menada Wind-Anderson and DDRRR chief 
Phil Lancaster.  Harold Henkel of the World Bank's MDRP also 
attended. 
 
¶7. (U) The rest of the International Facilitation was represented by 
A/S Frazer's Senior Adviser Shortley (U.S.) and French Ambassador 
Prevost (EU), in addition to Goma-based diplomats and experts from 
the U.S. and EU (including the UK).  A text of Shortley's remarks 
follows below. 
 
¶8. (U) Begin text of Shortley remarks: 
 
It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be in Goma today for the 
launching of the Joint Technical Commission for Peace and Security. 
Since the Goma Conference in January of this year, we have seen many 
signs that all parties are committed to the agreement: 
 
--  MONUC has redeployed forces in two ways:  into North and South 
Kivu from other parts of the Congo and to the conflicted areas. 
 
--  The ceasefire remains in place and, although there have been 
violations, we have a system in place to ensure that violations do 
not result in a resumption of the armed conflict. 
 
Further, in advance of the formal constitution of this Peace and 
Security Commission, and as an indication of the International 
Community's resolve to move proactively to reduce tensions in the 
Kivus, we take particular notice that two of the parties to the Goma 
Agreement have agreed to establish three exclusion zones in the 
petit nord which are now under the control of MONUC.  This has been 
a major confidence building measure, and sets the stage for further 
demilitarization in the Kivus under the guidance of this 
Commission. 
 
KINSHASA 00000337  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
In the last two months, the United States has: 
 
--  Opened a full office in Goma. 
 
--  Worked closely with our European and African partners in the 
international facilitation, in close coordination with the 
leadership of the Congolese Government, to implement the Goma 
Agreement and the Nairobi Communique 
 
--  Worked closely with the United Nations on the stability plan for 
eastern Congo 
 
As members of the International Facilitation we will work closely 
with Program Amani at all levels and particularly with the joint 
Technical Commission that is being formed today. 
 
The International Community, and we know the people of North and 
South Kivu, have been eagerly awaiting the actions that this Joint 
Commission is required to take under its mandate.  As with the 
establishment of the exclusions zones I have already mentioned, we 
know that these actions require great courage and commitment on the 
part of each the groups concerned.  We salute this courage and 
assure you that as long as you show the commitment, we in the 
international facilitation - as well, I know, as MONUC - will be at 
your side. 
 
We stand ready to help the parties to take the necessary actions to 
ensure that conditions improve quickly in order that internally 
displaced persons can return home soon and the deplorable incidents 
of violence against innocent people, particularly sexual violence 
against women, will end. 
 
Implementation of the Goma Agreement is vital to bring security, 
stability and peace to North and South Kivu.  Similarly, 
implementation of the Nairobi Communique is also essential to bring 
security, stability and peace to the Kivus.  As President Kabila has 
said himself, the time for the FDLR in Congo is over.  Per the UNSC 
Resolution:  the FDLR, ex-FAR/Interhamwe and other Rwandan armed 
groups in Eastern Congo must lay down their arms and return to 
Rwanda.  The U.S. remains an active participant in the Nairobi 
process and remains ready to support the parties to implement the 
Nairobi Communique in support of lasting peace in North and South 
Kivu. 
 
I was present during the Goma Conference and recognize the courage 
that was necessary to sign the Act de Engagement and the courage it 
has taken to remain in the process over the last two months.  It is 
good to be here today to see the dreams of the Goma Agreement begin 
come to fruition.  As active partners to the Goma Agreement, you 
must protect the spirit of Program Amani.  You in this room are the 
key to stability in the Kivus. 
 
Secretary Rice and Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer have been 
 
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following the progress of the Goma Agreement and Nairobi Communique 
very closely and send their congratulations to you today.  Their 
support and that of Members of the United States Congress and the 
White House have been critical in bringing the full support of the 
United States Government to help you bring lasting peace to North 
and South Kivu and to the people of eastern Congo. 
 
End text of Shortley remarks. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Comment:  This is an important moment for the peace 
process, however long it may have been in coming.  The main outcome 
of the January Goma Peace Conference and the associated Acte 
d'Engagement is now a reality.  The real work can now begin.  The 
first substantive meeting of the Commission was scheduled for April 
4 at 1500, and will be reported septel.  End comment. 
 
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