VZCZCXRO0722
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1081/01 3431125
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081125Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8870
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 SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001081 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: DRC and Rwanda Agree on Plan to Combat the FDLR 
 
Ref: Kinshasa 1002 
 
Combating the FDLR and GDRC-GOR Diplomatic Relations 
--------------------------------------------- ------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Following two days of meetings in Goma December 4-5, DRC 
Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba and Rwandan Foreign Minister 
Rosemary Museminali issued a Joint Communiqu (full text at 
paragraph 5) in which both sides announced a joint "comprehensive 
operational plan" against the FDLR.  The respective Chiefs of 
Defense Staff reportedly developed the plan during preparatory 
meetings in Gisenyi.  There are not yet any details of the plan, so 
it is unclear what the timeline for implementation is.  A MONUC 
source told us that the GDRC and GOR will only share the paper with 
the international facilitation after several days. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The communiqu also notes progress by both countries to 
re-establish diplomatic relations to intensify regional economic 
cooperation through the Economic Community of Great Lakes' Countries 
(CEPGL).  The GDRC committed to reopen its embassy in Kigali, as 
well as embassies in Kampala and Bujumbura, in the first trimester 
of 2009.  Rwanda agreed to the "immediate commencement of diplomatic 
relations" with the DRC. 
 
 
FDLR Letter to Obasanjo 
----------------------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) On December 4, FDLR President Ignace Murwanashyaka sent 
Special Envoy Olesugun Obasanjo a letter, requesting a political 
dialogue with the GOR.  Murwanashyaka claimed that the FDLR was not 
the cause of regional instability, rather Rwanda's interference in 
neighboring countries was the primary source.  Murwanashyaka warned 
that increasing military pressure on the FDLR would only aggravate 
the situation, possibly increasing "the suffering of innocent 
civilians and increasing further instability in the region." 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) DRC officials have been working behind the scenes for 
several weeks to improve relations with Kigali (reftel).  The "4 X 4 
process," which includes key decision makers on both sides, has 
seemingly made great strides since its first meeting in Kinshasa in 
late October.  Remarkably, progress has been achieved without any 
foreign involvement in the process, perhaps a sign that the two 
countries can solve contentious bilateral problems through their own 
hard work on the diplomatic front.  End Comment. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Begin Text of Joint Communiqu: 
 
   ¶1. On December 4-5, 2008, the delegation of the 
   Democratic Republic of Congo and delegation of the 
   Republic of Rwanda, led respectively by the 
   Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the DRC, Minister 
   Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, and of Rwanda, Minister 
   Rosemary Museminali, met at Cap Kivu Hotel in Goma. 
 
¶2. This meeting was a follow up of bilateral meetings held in 
Kinshasa from October 28 to November 1, 2008 and in Kigali November 
14-15, 2008 between the two governments. 
 
¶3. The Head of DRC delegation welcomed and thanked the Rwandan 
delegation for their participation in this meeting; that shows the 
importance they attach to the peace and stability of the region and 
the confidence building between the two countries.  On her side, the 
head of the Rwandan delegation Minister Rosemary Museminali 
expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and the hospitality 
accorded to her and her delegation. 
 
¶4. The DRC delegation briefed their counterparts on the general 
security situation in eastern DRC, and the two delegations exchanged 
ideas on issues of common interest. 
 
¶5. A comprehensive operational plan against ex-FAR/Interahamwe was 
presented jointly by FARDC and RDF. 
 
¶6. Both sides agreed on the operational plan against 
ex-FAR/Interahamwe prepared jointly by officers from the FARDC and 
RDF and called for its implementation. 
 
¶7. The meeting noted the presentation by MONUC on how the 
humanitarian corridors are open and the effective cease-fire has 
helped in accessing IDPs. 
 
¶8. The two delegations appreciated the progress towards the 
 
KINSHASA 00001081  002 OF 002 
 
 
normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations and regional 
economic cooperation.  Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to the 
earlier immediate commencement of diplomatic representations.  The 
DRC committed to reopen Embassies with Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi in 
the first quarter of 2009.  The DRC will appoint their four 
representatives of whom three, except the Deputy Executive 
Secretary, will be announced on December 12, 2008 during the CEPGL 
meeting in Bujumbura to complete the administrative organ of CEPGL. 
 
¶9. The DRC delegation informed the meeting that on December 8, 2008 
in Nairobi-Kenya there will be a meeting between CNDP and DRC 
representatives under the auspices of the UN/AU facilitators to 
formalize the ceasefire and discuss the roadmap to peace in the 
eastern DRC. 
 
10.The two delegations also agreed that the governors 
   of North Kivu (DRC) and Western province (Rwanda) 
   meet regularly to discuss the prevailing situation 
   in their respective provinces and issues of common 
   interests. 
 
11.The meeting appreciated the role of the two 
   facilitators, President Obasanjo and President 
   Mkapa, in the quest for a solution to the crisis in 
   the eastern DRC. 
 
12.The meeting was held in a frank, cordial and 
   fraternal atmosphere.  The next meeting will be 
   convened by Rwanda at a time to be mutually agreed 
   upon. 
 
Done at Goma, on December 5, 2008 
 
For DRC Delegation 
Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba 
 
 
For Rwandan Delegation 
Minister Rosemary Museminali 
 
End Text of Joint Communiqu 
 
GARVELINK