VZCZCXRO2206
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0575/01 1691216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181216Z JUN 09 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9742
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 000575 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: RWANDA VISIT ADDS PERSPECTIVE FOR JMG-TF 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary: The Government of Rwanda (GoR) sponsored a visit 
of the Joint Monitoring Group Task Force (JMG-TF) to Rwanda June 4-6 
to enhance understanding of the repatriation process for FDLR rebels 
remaining in the DRC.  The 18-member group of DRC-based diplomats 
(Note:  Goma Liaison Officer Gurney participated in the visit as the 
USG member of the JMG-TF.  End Note), MONUC officials/press and 
representatives of the DRC and GoR visited the Matobo reorientation 
camp, the National Museum, the genocide museum and Murambi genocide 
site, in addition to meetings with the Executive Secretaries of the 
National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and the Gacaca 
Commission.  At the end of the visit, members of the JMG-TF met 
privately to discuss ways the international facilitation team could 
promote repatriation and support the peace process.  Paragraph 13 
requests Department guidance as to whether a statement of support 
for Kimia II is appropriate.  End summary. 
 
First Stop - FDLR Reorientation Camp 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Hundreds of recent Democratic Forces for the Liberation of 
Rwanda (FDLR) returnees greeted the JMG-TF delegates with songs and 
dancing at the Matobo reorientation camp, one hour from the border 
crossing at Gisenyi.  A briefing by Rwandan Demobilization and 
Reintegration Center (RDRC) Head Jean Sayinzoga focused on the need 
to move forward with reconciliation, while never forgetting the 
awful consequences of ethnic hatred.  Several returnees answered 
questions from JMG-TF members; one noted that virtually all FDLR in 
the eastern DRC were aware of MONUC's DDRRR program for 
repatriation, but commanders restricted access to MONUC and 
distorted conditions in Rwanda.  Several focuse on the hardships of 
living in the Congo forest nd claimed many FDLR cadre seek to 
return to Rwanda. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Three former FDLR elements testifid that RDF operations 
helped pressure them to reurn.  They said they had not faced 
discriminatio since their return and that the continued aim of he 
FDLR was to forcefully overthrow the Rwandan Government.  A female 
dependent said women and chidren had no rights in the bush.  A 
recently retuned ex-FDLR major noted that the FDLR membership i 
comprised of three types:  those too young to hve participated in 
the genocide, those out of the country at the time, andthose who 
took part in the genocide.  Efforts torepatriate FDLR should focus 
on the first two groups. 
 
The Challenge of National Unity and Reconciiation 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Following a visit to the Kigli Memorial Centre, JMG-TF 
delegates met with Fauma Ndangiza, Executive Secretary of the 
National Unity and Reconciliation Commission.  She outlinedthe 
major challenges to unity and reconciliationin the immediate 
aftermath of the genocide (instbility, ethnic division and lack of 
justice).  Se gave an overview of activities undertaken by the 
Commission, including the co-ordination of a natinal dialogue in 
1998-1999, the monitoring of insitutions to ensure respect for 
unity and reconciiation, and promotion of the Commission's core 
vlues of forgiveness, memory and education.  She assssed that 
progress had been made at the nationallevel to promote 
reconciliation, notably, that n Rwandan was discriminated against 
for ethnic reasons and that Rwandan leaders were sharing power. 
However, she conceded that challenges remained at the inter-personal 
level.  In the context of discussion about how the JMG-TF could 
assist her commission, it was agreed that information programming to 
encourage FDLR elements to surrender and the promotion of awareness 
amongst receiving communities were important.  Ms. Ndangiza noted 
that communication with young female FDLR elements was particularly 
important.  She agreed in principle to the invitation of DDRRR to 
visit the DRC to conduct information awareness activity. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Delegates, who were unfamiliar with Rwanda and its 
history, noted that they had learned many details of how the 
genocide was planned and perpetrated.  It was much harder to 
understand why the genocide was perpetrated, a critical question for 
inducing the rebels to repatriate.  Ndangiza returned to the history 
of Rwanda since 1959, noting how Tutsis were systematically 
depersonalized and blamed as "outsiders" who caused all of Rwanda's 
problems.  Many participants in the genocide were uneducated, and 
education was now a central part of reconciliation involving a full 
range of institutions.  Ndangiza also stressed the culture of 
impunity, coercion and the failure of the church and international 
community to play restraining roles. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Ndangiza acknowledged that not all returnees find a happy 
welcome.  Some had lost land, or had difficulty finding work, and 
some communities did not welcome returnees.  She noted the unique 
difficulties of perpetrators and victims living again side by side 
 
KINSHASA 00000575  002 OF 003 
 
 
and how divisions had been overcome through mutual building 
construction and basket-weaving projects.  Forgiveness was key, but 
perpetrators must acknowledge guilt and ask for forgiveness before 
it could be granted.  While some genocide participants received long 
prison sentences, those who confess receive greatly reduced 
sentences.  She recommended that the international community assist 
efforts to take testimonies from a wide range of returnees and 
broadcast them to the FDLR in the DRC to counter rumors that 
returnees were routinely killed. 
 
Site Visits 
----------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Beyond the meetings in Kigali, the GoR arranged for the 
group to visit the Murambi genocide memorial where an estimated 
50,000 Tutsis were killed and buried.  Participants also stopped at 
Rwanda's National Museum. 
 
The Gacaca Jurisdictions 
------------------------ 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, Executive Secretary of the 
National Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions, briefed the JMG-TF on the 
traditional gacaca trials, a process of clear concern to FDLR cadre 
in the DRC.  She noted the enormous task facing authorities in the 
wake of the 1994 genocide, stressing the need for justice as well as 
reconciliation.  Gacaca recognizes that killings took place under 
many different circumstances, and most participants can be 
categorized as planners, active perpetrators, or persons who 
committed crimes against property.  Trials for categories 2 and 3 
were almost at an end, but there are still almost 9,000 category 1 
cases to be reviewed.  Individuals must return to their communities 
before testimony can be heard, and Mukantaganzwa noted the problems 
with intimidation and faded memories after 15 years.  The genocide 
traumatized both victims and killers, and the community process of 
"truth-telling" helps address the trauma. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Asked how MONUC and the GDRC could address FDLR fears of 
the gacaca process, Mukantaganzwa said rebels who maintain their 
innocence should have the power of their convictions and return. 
Defendants who have been falsely accused have proven the charges 
against them were false.  FDLR members who were 14 years old or 
younger at the time of the genocide are not prosecuted.  Finally, 
those guilty of genocidal acts have many paths to reintegration into 
the community.  Those guilty of genocide crimes will serve some 
prison time, but those who confess also receive suspended sentences 
and community service, which allow for relatively rapid 
reinstatement. 
 
JMG-TF Meeting - Which Way Forward? 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Chairman Samba Tall convened the JMG-TF meeting on June 
7, inviting the Head of the Rwandan Demobilization and Reintegration 
Commission to speak on the importance of information programs both 
in and outside Rwanda.  He called on the JMG-TF and MONUC to assist 
in the diffusion of information, noting the importance of meeting 
with local leaders and combatants to encourage repatriation.  He 
also said that the trip had shown that the environment in Rwanda was 
conducive to return.  DDR/RR reported that the number of those 
repatriating had decreased since the end of RDF operations in the 
DRC. The representative of DDRRR noted that military pressure should 
be maintained, but that information programming remained crucial. 
To this end, he reiterated the invitation to the Executive Secretary 
of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission to participate 
in information and awareness programming activity in the DRC. 
 
¶11.  (SBU) In the closed meeting that followed, the chair (MONUC) 
raised the issue of how the JMG-TF could support the raising of 
awareness on both sides of the border, as well as the matter of how 
to facilitate activity to complement Kimia II operations.  The DRC 
representative emphasized the importance of remaining within the 
Terms of Reference of the JMG-TF, but agreed to widening information 
broadcasting activities and inviting the FARDC to provide an update 
to the JMG-TF on Kimia II operations.  The Rwandan representative 
noted that the rapprochement between Rwanda and the DRC had resulted 
in the neutralization of the CNDP and allowed the GDRC to reassert 
its authority in all parts of the country.  He said that a 
relatively short list of most wanted perpetrators of genocide had 
been shared with the GDRC and noted that the JMG-TF visit to Rwanda 
had demonstrated that the environment in the country was conducive 
to return.  However, he added with concern that the FDLR leadership, 
particularly that of the FDLR faction RUD ("Ralliement pour l`Unite 
et la Democratie" in French), continued to have freedom of movement 
in Europe and North America.  He noted that the FDLR was still in 
North and South Kivu and he called on the JMG-TF to assist in 
 
KINSHASA 00000575  003 OF 003 
 
 
identifying those that remained active in supporting the FDLR.  He 
also agreed on the importance of supporting Kimia II with further 
visits of the JMG-TF to the field in DRC. 
 
¶12.  (SBU) In interventions by members of the International 
Facilitation (IF), France (on behalf of the EU) emphasized the 
importance of neutralizing the FDLR leadership outside the DRC.  The 
French representative suggested favouring younger FDLR leaders who 
did not necessarily share the same ideology and language as older 
leaders.  Goma Liaison Officer Gurney suggested a statement, 
supporting Kimia II operations, to be discussed at the next meeting. 
 The South African representative suggested having a meeting of 
Special Envoys to follow-up on previous recommendations by the 
JMG-TF.  The representative from the International Conference on the 
Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) stressed the importance of asserting 
pressure on the FDLR leadership.  He also informed the JMG-TF that 
the ICGLR would meet later in June to take stock of Kimia II 
operations.  The representative of the African Union said conditions 
should be imposed on the exile of rebel leaders in Europe and 
elsewhere.  In particular, they should be required to stop all 
activity in support of armed groups before being given refugee 
status in host countries.  The JMG-TF agreed to meet again on June 
19 in Goma. 
 
¶13.  (SBU) Comment and Guidance Request:  The visit to Rwanda was 
extremely valuable for the non-Rwandan JMG-TF members to better 
understand the history of the crisis, which continues to haunt the 
DRC.  It also forged a common sense of purpose among JMG-TF members, 
pulling in representatives of the Great Lakes and the AU who often 
skip the biweekly meetings in Goma.  Thoughts from addressees on 
ways to intensify international efforts to pressure FDLR and RUD 
leaders abroad are welcome.  We also request guidance as to whether 
a statement of support for Kimia II is appropriate, and suggest the 
following elements:  The U.S. continues to support the Nairobi 
Communique to bring peace to the eastern Congo, and Kimia II is a 
vital component of that agreement; perpetrators of retribution will 
be held accountable; the rapprochement between the Governments of 
Rwanda and the DRC is a positive development and deserves 
international support; the people of the DRC and Rwanda deserve 
peace and FDLR elements inside the DRC must return home. 
 
¶14.  (SBU) Comment continued: The JMG, set up to monitor 
implementation of the Nairobi Communique, still has a role to play, 
but the GDRC appears unenthusiastic about real activism.  At several 
recent JMG-TF meetings, GDRC representatives have stalled inquiries 
and suggested projects, and the June 7 meeting was no exception. 
The GDRC is, however, moving forward with Operation Kimia II, albeit 
haltingly, and the GoR delegates in the JMG-TF appeared satisfied 
with the partnership and comfortable with the role of the IF.  MONUC 
has a vital role in stabilizing the region and implementing 
international agreements to build a lasting peace.  End comment. 
 
¶15.  (U) Final note:  USG participation in this event was limited to 
the official U.S. representative on the JMG, i.e., Embassy 
Kinshasa's poloff in Goma.  Embassy Kigali accepted Embassy 
Kinshasa's invitation to review this cable, which it (Kigali) has 
cleared.  End final note. 
 
BROCK