VZCZCXRO2864
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1060 3361115
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011115Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8844
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
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0012

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001060 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT:   EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 1 
 
¶1.  (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of 
spot information from various sources.  This report is not 
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be 
confirmed at this time. 
 
Security Situation 
------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) MONUC security sources in Goma reported on December 1 that 
PARECO and CNDP engaged in fighting over the weekend outside of 
Masisi town, particularly in the area of Bwabo, 5-7 kilometers from 
Masisi town.  The combat caused some residents to flee.  Goma poloff 
notes that MONUC has been reinforcing Masisi, as it fears the CNDP 
may try to occupy the town. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) A "rocket" explosive device of some type is reported to 
have hit a CNDP truck carrying soldiers on the road between Kiwanja 
and Kisharu.  A number of CNDP soldiers were killed in the incident. 
 It is not clear who launched the rocket. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) During a disturbance at a distribution site at Kibati camp 
on November 30, Congolese police fired weapons, wounding two 
civilians.  Additionally, police in Goma conducted a search of a 
neighborhood on November 30, reportedly recovering hidden arms. 
Police arrested several people in connection with the cache. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) A MONUC military representative met with a CNDP commander 
on November 28 in Rutshuru and told him to stop all CNDP military 
advances.  The CNDP commander claimed that current operations along 
the Rutshuru/Ishasha axis are preemptive to neutralize local Mai Mai 
forces. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) According to a British journalist in Goma, reporters 
travel the road from Goma as far north as Kanyabayonga without 
incident.  They note, however, that CNDP soldiers are taxing 
commercial trucks on the route; recent CNDP actions appear aimed at 
securing control of commercial arteries in North Kivu. 
 
Political Developments 
---------------------- 
 
¶7.  (U) Press reporting alleges that video footage shows SESG 
Obasanjo, during his November 29 meeting with Nkunda, chastising the 
rebel leader for launching an offensive along the Ugandan border 
last week, thus breaking a cease-fire in the middle of peace talks. 
Obasanjo is quoted as saying that Nkunda had made him a 
"laughingstock."  Nkunda allegedly responded that the cease-fire was 
only meant to apply to the FARDC, not to negative and foreign 
forces.  Nkunda also threatened war if the government refuses to 
hold talks with the CNDP.  Nkunda reportedly added that he realizes 
that the FARDC has no capacity to fight.  According to Nkunda, 
Obasanjo told him that the GDRC has accepted, in principle, a face 
to face meeting with Congolese officials, but has not agreed on a 
venue. 
 
¶8.  (U) Press reporting notes that Nkunda has called on the 
Norwegian government to assist SESG Obasanjo in mediating the 
conflict.  He also expressed support for the deployment of Norwegian 
peacekeepers to the DRC, making it clear that, while he cannot 
support the presence of an EU force in the DRC, he wants smaller 
countries such as Norway to contribute to MONUC or otherwise engage 
militarily.  Norwegian Development Cooperation Minister Erik 
Solheim, according to the report, promised that Oslo would review 
Nkunda's request. 
 
LRA's Kony a no-show, again 
--------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (U) LRA leader Joseph Kony has reportedly refused to sign the 
final peace agreement until his ICC warrant is suspended.  UN envoy 
Chissano was quoted in the press as saying that a signing is not 
expected soon. 
 
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