VZCZCXRO0616
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0910 2951619
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211619Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8644
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 000910 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT:    Goma Report: October 17-20 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  Six CNDP soliders were reportedly killed during 
a firefight between CNDP and FARDC in Katali October 17.  The Front 
for Patriotic Resistance in Ituri (FPRI-Force Patriotique de 
Resistance in Ituri) is expanding its operations.  Although they 
number only approximately 250 combatants, the Ituri rebels operate 
in a broad area due to an extensive local contact network.  The CNDP 
has rejected MONUC's proposal to commence high level mil-to-mil 
discussions to define zones of separation.  The FARDC has announced 
it intention to recommence operations against the FDLR.  Radio Okapi 
reported that LRA rebels attacked and pillaged several villages 
north of Dungu on October 19, resulting in at least 2,100 IDP's. 
End Summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) At the October 20 MONUC military briefing, MONUC military 
observers reported that during an October 17 firefight between the 
FARDC and CNDP in Katali (Masisi), 6 CNDP combatants were killed and 
one officer was captured.  A "nervous sentry" reportedly sparked the 
fighting. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) In South Kivu, there was fighting in Kalehe on October 19. 
 On October 17, the CNDP broke the ceasefire in South Kivu, moving 
into an area 7 kilometers from Numbi before FARDC pushed CNDP troops 
back.  (Note:  According to MONUC, this raised the total number of 
ceasefire violations since January 23, 2008 to 293.  End Note.) 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Front for Patriotic Resistance in Ituri (FPRI-Force 
Patriotique de Resistance in Ituri) is expanding in both Irumu and 
Djugu territories.  FPRI are also present and active on the 
Bunia-Gety-Boga axis and in the Grand Nord border area of Lake 
Albert.  There are approximately 250 FPRI combatants, but with an 
extensive contact network that allows them to operate effectively 
across a wide area.  MONUC reported that they have light machine 
guns, RPG 7's, and mortars.  Better trained than the FARDC, the FPRI 
forces usually prevail in combat against the FARDC.  The FPRI will 
not directly confront MONUC, except to test it. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) MONUC had hoped to arrange high level mil-to-mil talks 
with the CNDP this week to decide on zones of separation. 
MONUC-FARDC talks would have followed, then three-way talks.  The 
CNDP has, however, rejected these talks. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) The FARDC announced that it would resume operations 
against the FDLR.  MONUC noted that this would be difficult in the 
near-term, as 8 of 10 FARDC battalions in the region are aligned 
against the CNDP.  However, as soon as zones of separation are 
established, and there is confidence that they will hold, operations 
against FDLR could indeed proceed. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Radio Okapi announced that on October 19, LRA rebels 
burned and looted the village of Bangadi, 125 kilometers north of 
Dungu in the Haut Uele District.  The LRA then attacked the 
neighboring villages of Makosa and Ngayime.  After the attacks, 
villagers reportedly ambushed the LRA group, resulting in the deaths 
of six Congolese and one LRA rebel.  According to Radio Okapi, at 
least 2,100 people have fled their homes for the town of Nyangara. 
There are approximately 5,000 IDP's from North Uele scattered 
throughout Orientale Province. 
 
BROCK