VZCZCXRO6373
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0306 0911303
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011303Z APR 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9402
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 000306 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS CG RW
SUBJECT:  DRC-RWANDAN "4+4" COMMUNIQUE 
 
¶1.  (SBU) The DRC and Rwandan Foreign Ministers met in the "4+4" 
format in Kinshasa March 27-28.  Embassy Kigali has obtained a copy 
of the joint communiqu from the meeting; the original English 
version is at paragraph 2.  Most notably, the document reaffirms 
agreement between the ministers for an immediate exchange of 
ambassadors, for the two countries' Ministers of Justice to meet to 
formulate a legal framework for Laurent Nkunda's extradition, and 
for a Heads of State meeting. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Begin text of communique: 
 
Joint Communique 
 
¶1.  On March 27-28, 2009, the delegation of the Democratic Republic 
of the Congo and the delegation of the Republic of Rwanda led 
respectively by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Demorcratic 
Republic of Congo, His Excellency Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, and 
Honourable Rosemary Museminali, of Rwanda, met at the Congolese 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa; 
 
¶2.  The meeting was a follow up of the previous bilateral meetings 
held in Kinshasa, Kigali, Goma and Rubavu repectively between the 
two countries; 
 
¶3.  The Head of the DRC delegation welcomed and thanked the Rwandan 
delegation for their participation in the meeting which demonstrates 
the importance they attach to the on-going process of 
re-establishing peace and stability in the region and the promotion 
of bilateral relations; 
 
¶4.  The Head of the Rwandan delegation expressed gratitude for the 
warm welcome and hospitality accorded to her delegation; 
 
¶5.  The meeting was briefed on the progress of military operations 
against ex-FAR/Interahamwe and the integration process of CNDP, 
PARECO and other armed groups in the FARDC after operation Umoja 
Wetu; 
 
¶6.  The two parties stressed the need to pursue ex-FAR/Interahamwe 
still scattered over the world; 
 
¶7.  The two parties agreed to set up a permanent joint 
sub-commission on defense and security in view to exchange 
information and act on security maters of common interest; 
 
¶8.  The two parties committed themselves to exchange their 
ambassadors immediately in view of advancing diplomatic relations; 
 
¶9.  The two parties recommended a meeting at the level of the Heads 
of State to consolidate the achievements of the ongoing bilateral 
talks between the two countries; 
 
¶10.  They discussed issues related to the common border.  The two 
parties agreed that experts will meet Apri1 16-18 to review the 
situation and provide recommendations on the way forward; 
 
¶11. The 4+4 meeting noted the legal complexities in both the DRC and 
Rwanda regarding the transfer of Laurent Nkunda.  They recommended 
that their respective ministers of justice meet and give the 4+4 
legal advice on the issue. 
 
Done at Kinshasa on the March 28, 2009 in English and French both 
languages being equally authentic.  English remains the original 
language of the original text. 
 
End text of communique. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Comment:  Discussions about restoring diplomatic relations 
have been on-going since the initial 4+4 meeting in early December 
¶2008.  While this development is extremely welcome, the 
international community should continue to press the two countries 
to carry through with the process.  It is unclear to us what the way 
forward is on the "Nkunda problem."  We fully understand the 
complexities of any extradition process, but the Congolese political 
class remains eager to showcase the former CNDP leader in Kinshasa, 
while the Rwandans undoubtedly see advantages to keeping him in 
their custody.  Despite these relatively minor differences, the 
overall balance in DRC-Rwandan relations is overwhelmingly positive. 
 It is even more so when considering that these two countries have 
until recently supported, tacitly or openly, groups working to 
destabilize each other.  In less than four months, they have not 
only committed to restore diplomatic relations, but have designed 
and carried out a joint military operation to rid the region of many 
of its negative forces.  End Comment. 
 
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