VZCZCXRO7159
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0089/01 0281601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281601Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9105
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 000089 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 28 
 
¶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. 
 
Joint FARDC/RDF Operation 
------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) MONUC announced on January 28 that the FARDC continues to 
advance west of Lubero and reports having penetrated 65-70 
kilometers into former FDLR-held areas, including Kasugho and 
Bunyatende.  FDLR combatants generally have not put up any fight up 
to the present point, but have merely retreated westward and 
northward out of the area; another report, however, notes that 1,500 
FDLR combatants (who had left their families) are massing near 
Kashebere.  In addition, there are reports that FDLR fighters are 
moving into Orientale Province. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) MONUC expects the first major offensives to target FDLR 
economic zones.  According to FARDC reports, four FDLR combatants 
have been killed so far, and 494 have surrendered (Note: MONUC 
emphasized that this latter point has not been verified.  End note). 
 MONUC reported separately that 20 FDLR combatants in Nyabiondo and 
ten in Pinga have surrendered to the FARDC.  The Nyabiondo group has 
already been transported by helicopter to Goma. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) MONUC remains concerned regarding the possibility of FDLR 
reprisals against predominantly Tutsi villages.  Separately, an NGO 
reported that the population of Chambucha, approximately 100 
kilometers inland from Lake Kivu, just north of the border between 
North and South Kivu, is in a panic over the possibility of 
anti-FDLR attacks by FARDC and is scattering in every direction. 
Chambucha has been until now a "free zone" town located between 
FARDC and FDLR-held areas. 
 
MONUC Assistance 
---------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU) MONUC reported the establishment of a Joint Operations 
Center (JOC), staffed by MONUC, FARDC, and RDF representatives. 
Daily meetings will be held at which an overview of recent FARDC/RDF 
actions and a preview of operations planned over the next 48 hours 
will be provided (Note:  There is general skepticism that such 
previews of future operations will in fact be provided.  End note). 
The JOC will look to provide advice to the overall operation, and 
also contribute to repatriation and FARDC integration efforts. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) A senior MONUC military officer told us that MONUC is in 
the process of re-evaluating where to position its forces in order 
to better protect civilians.  MONUC has identified 11 new deployment 
positions and has closed four others, in an effort to consolidate 
its peacekeepers.  In general, these movements will be to the west 
(as far as Walikale), as this is where MONUC expects the brunt of 
the fighting to take place.  The new deployments will be on a 14 day 
temporary basis, renewed as necessary. 
 
Integration 
----------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) MONUC reported that Ntaganda and the GDRC Minister of 
Defense traveled to Rutshuru on January 24 to emphasize the need for 
CNDP fighters there to integrate into the FARDC; there would be 
serious consequences for those who refused.  CNDP integration is 
scheduled to begin January 28 and the FARDC hopes to conclude the 
process within 48 hours (Comment: This kind of timeline guarantees, 
at best, a hurried retread of the failed "mixage" process.  A more 
formal, measured integration process will be necessary to guarantee 
the full dismantlement of the CNDP.  End comment).  Separately, ten 
PARECO fighters and 170 Mai-Mai in the Nyamailima area have 
reportedly volunteered to join the FARDC. 
 
¶8. (SBU) MONUC noted that the regroupment sites for Mai-Mai, PARECO 
and CNDP fighters who want to join the FARDC and participate in the 
anti-FDLR offensive are Kimoka and Bubambiro for Masisi Territory, 
and Rumangabo for Rutshuru territory.  MONUC expects to receive 
requests for transportation to the regroupment centers. 
 
Operation Lightning Thunder 
--------------------------- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) MONUC passed unverified information that a senior LRA 
commander has been wounded in Garamba Park and is negotiating 
through the International Organization for Migration for his 
surrender. 
 
 
KINSHASA 00000089  002 OF 002 
 
 
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