VZCZCXRO8594
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0140/01 0421427
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111427Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9177
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 03 KINSHASA 000140 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG UN EUN
SUBJECT:  FOREIGN MINISTER'S FEBRUARY 11 BRIEFING TO AMBASSADORS ON 
JOINT RWANDAN-DRC OPERATIONS IN THE EAST 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted embassy late 
February 9 to request ambassador's attendance at briefing next day 
by Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwanke at MFA headquarters.  Present at 
the briefing were ambassadors of the United States, the United 
Kingdom, France, Russia, China, South Africa, Belgium, the Czech 
Republic (as EU chair), and the Holy See (as dean of the diplomatic 
corps).  Deputy Foreign Minister for relations with Congolese 
communities' abroad Colette Tshomba also attended for GDRC, as did 
senior ministry staff.  The media were asked to leave the room when 
the meeting began at 10:00 am. 
 
Minister asks to meet with select ambassadors 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Thambwe began by announcing he had convened the meeting to 
provide an update on joint Congolese-Rwanda operations in the 
eastern DRC.  In background remarks he described the objective of 
the operations, which began January 21, as "the destruction of the 
FDLR as a military force" and noted that the operations had been 
prompted in part by international criticism of the DRC for having 
given sanctuary to the FDLR.  The DRC's desire to get rid of the 
CNDP was also a factor.  He stated that the 4X4 working group (four 
presidential representatives from the DRC and Rwanda) had planned 
the operations in great secrecy in part to avoid negative domestic 
political fallout and pointed out that if the operations had indeed 
provoked criticism within the DRC's political elite, most average 
Congolese supported the effort. 
 
As of February 5, 60% of mission has been accomplished 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The Minister stated that 60% of the joint operations' 
objectives had been attained as of February 5.  He elaborated: 
 
-- The Governor of North Kivu, who prior to January 21 was unable to 
travel more than 30 km from the capital Goma, could now move freely 
throughout the province. 
 
-- All major roads were open and the distribution of food and other 
commodities proceeded without impediment. 
 
-- All three major arteries in the province had been liberated, 
i.e., the roadways known as the Rutshuru, Masisi, and Pinga axes. 
Along all these corridors the FDLR had been defeated or had decided 
to lay down arms and repatriate to Rwanda; other rebel groups had 
agreed to become political movements and/or reintegrate into the 
FARDRC; and CNDP commander Laurent Nkunda had been arrested.  A 
communications unit had been created to inform the population of the 
status of the joint operations.  (Note:  Thambwe was probably 
referring to the MIST team which has been in North Kivu for several 
weeks.  End note.) 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Thambwe stated that local leaders ("chefs coutumiers" or 
traditional village chiefs) had asked that the operations continue. 
The Governor of North Kivu had begun to restore administrative 
services in areas formerly controlled by the CNDP.  Governors of 
both North and South Kivu, Thambwe said, had expressed interest in 
extending the joint operations.  Thambwe also noted that the number 
of FDLR repatriations was up significantly.  He referred to "strict 
compliance" with the rules of war and stated that child soldiers had 
been turned over to MONUC.  The minister acknowledged, however, that 
not many IDP's had returned home due to fear.  On the political 
front, "synergies" had been created between national deputies from 
the Kivus, provincial deputies and other political figures. 
 
MONUC gives seal of approval 
---------------------------- 
¶5.  (SBU) The GDRC had asked MONUC Force Commander General Babacar 
Gaye to evaluate the conduct of the joint operations.  Per the 
GDRC's request, MONUC carried out an investigation and found that 
there were no anomalies and that there had been no collateral 
victims.  Later in the meeting UN SRSG Alan Doss confirmed that the 
operations had not caused any humanitarian crises and had resulted 
in few internal displacements.  He also noted that all major 
arteries had been opened.  On the military side, Doss said that 
2,500 Rwandans had signed up for repatriation and that some CNDP 
elements had not yet come forward for reintegration into the FARDC. 
Thambwe stated that UN Special Envoy Obasanjo was arriving in 
Kinshasa later today and would discuss CNDP reintegration with 
President Kabila. 
 
¶6. (SBU) For the reasons he had given, Thambwe explained, the two 
sides would decide today (February 10) on whether to continue the 
operations for another 10 days, with the Rwandans leaving the Congo 
no later than the end of February.  The official end of the joint 
 
KINSHASA 00000140  002 OF 003 
 
 
operations and the return of Rwandan forces would be commemorated at 
a ceremony with media coverage.  This would happen no later than the 
end of February when 90% of the mission's objectives will have been 
reached. 
 
¶7.  (SBU) In ending this part of his presentation, Thambwe stated 
that the 4X4 plan had never called for the relocation of FDLR 
elements within the DRC.  He said there was no money for relocation. 
 He noted there would be a second anti-FDLR operation next month, 
with DRC forces only.  The target of the operation would be the RUD 
faction, which had shown more willingness to return home than had 
many other FDLR groups.  In closing his remarks on joint operations 
Thambwe said that "We are in a much better position now than we had 
thought possible when we began."  (Note:  In discussing relocation, 
Thambwe mentioned in passing that at some point there would be a 
discussion on the return of tens of thousands of Congolese Tutsis 
now in refugee camps in Rwanda.  This is a very delicate issue in 
the DRC given complicated land tenure disputes that will have to be 
resolved before the return can take place.  End note.) 
 
Nkunda and extradition to the DRC 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Thambwe referred to the debate over Rwanda's legal 
obligations to extradite General Laurent Nkunda to the DRC, 
mentioning two international instruments from 1966 and 1975.  He 
said Rwanda had initially favored a political solution with Nkunda 
receiving asylum in a third country (South Africa was mentioned) but 
that, in a "firm discussion" the DRC had refused, insisting that 
Nkunda be extradited and brought to Kinshasa.   The Rwandans agreed 
to extradition and the only outstanding issue is agreement on the 
modalities of his travel to Kinshasa from Goma.  The minister noted 
that a room for Nkunda is being prepared at the Makala prison adding 
that the general's cell was getting a fresh coat of paint to ensure 
that the prisoner's human rights were being observed.  Thambwe 
dismissed reports that Nkunda is in poor health or that he might 
attempt suicide rather than be taken to Kinshasa. 
 
Restoration of diplomatic relations with Kigali 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶9.  (SBU) The minister ended his presentation with a reaffirmation 
of the GDRC's intention to reestablish full diplomatic relations 
with Rwanda.  He said agreements for the two countries' respective 
ambassadors would be approved next month.  He also noted that three 
high-ranking Congolese officials would travel soon to Gisenyi to 
talk about economic/mining cooperation. 
 
Contacts with FDLR leaders overseas 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Thambwe asked those attending if they had questions.  The 
South African ambassador asked if efforts had been undertaken to 
contact FDLR leaders living overseas to solicit support in ending 
the fighting.  Thambwe replied that the GDRC had urged the 
Government of Rwanda to use diplomacy in approaching governments of 
countries where FDLR leaders live to seek leaders' cooperation in 
asking FDLR soldiers to lay down their arms.  (Note:  Curiously, 
Thambwe asserted several times that most FDLR leaders lived in 
Germany and the United States.  He did not mention France, where 
most FDLR leaders reside, a country with which Rwanda does not have 
diplomatic relations.  End note.) 
 
No elections soon; what happens next? 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶11. (SBU) The papal nuncio expressed satisfaction that the 
humanitarian situation had not worsened and asked for information on 
programs to repatriate foreigners and displaced persons.  The French 
ambassador asked if persons reentering the mainstream of political 
life in the DRC would be given a chance to enjoy fully their rights 
as citizens of a democratic country by voting soon in local 
elections.  Thambwe stated that unfortunately this would not be 
possible as there was no money for elections.  He stated, however, 
that efforts would be made to establish an elections calendar and to 
give all citizens a voice in government.  The UK ambassador 
congratulated the minister for what had been accomplished but 
wondered what was going to happen next, particularly with regard to 
the management of mining operations previously in the hands of rebel 
groups.  The minister stated that the government was going to draw 
up a plan with MONUC but did not offer details. 
 
Operations against the LRA 
-------------------------- 
 
 
KINSHASA 00000140  003 OF 003 
 
 
¶12.  (SBU) The ambassador of the Czech Republic asked for a report 
on joint operations with Uganda against the LRA.  Thambwe replied 
that the Ugandan Defense Minister was arriving in Kinshasa later 
that day to agree on a date for the end of anti-LRA joint 
operations.  He praised MONUC for its "excellent cooperation." 
Although the LRA had not been defeated, it had been broken as a 
homogeneous force and was now split into many different groups over 
a large, forested area.  LRA forces were not heading towards Uganda, 
however, but towards the south and the Central African Republic. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) Comment:  Thambwe's intent was clearly to pre-empt 
speculation and criticism within the international community and to 
influence its understanding of the joint operations.  Some of the 
information he provided was overly glossy ("90% of our objectives 
will soon be attained") and manifestly at variance with press 
reports.  Also, he almost certainly downplayed differences with 
Rwanda and Uganda over withdrawal dates and other issues. 
Nonetheless, Thambwe represents a distinct break with the DRC's 
previous foreign minister in that he recognizes the need for 
communication with the international community and because he is 
highly articulate.  Ambassadors will meet soon to review the Foreign 
Minister's performance and to divine what is likely to happen in 
coming days.  End comment.