VZCZCXRO3532
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0624/01 1821110
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011110Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9832
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SADC COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000624 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR INR/R/MR; AF/C; AF/PD; AF/PA; AF/RSA; 
IIP/G/AF AWELDEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO KWMN OEXC SCUL PREL PGOV
            PINS, MARR, MASS, MCAP, MAP, CG 
SUBJECT:    SUMMARY OF ARTICLES RESULTING FROM 
            JUNE 25 PRESS ROUNDTABLE ON SBGV 
 
REF:        KINSHASA 613 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  Media reaction to June 25 PD section's monthly 
press roundtable (reftel) on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 
was widespread and largely positive.  Highlights follow.  End 
summary. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Mission's public diplomacy section organizes a monthly 
Press Roundtable at the ambassador's residence.  The subject for 
June 25 - SGBV - was chosen due to the alarming dimensions of the 
problem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  Participating in 
the roundtable were charge d'affaires, AID mission director, 
director of office of security cooperation (OSC), PAO, poloff 
responsible for human rights issues, and AID program officer.  Of 
thirteen journalists who attended, PAS recorded three newspaper 
articles, four television broadcasts, two online articles, and one 
radio broadcast resulting from the event. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) The pro-government newspaper "L'Observateur" ran a more 
than half-page, above-the-fold article on page 4.  The headline read 
"The U.S. strengthens fight against sexual violence in the DRC." 
The article quoted charge as saying in a lead summary:  "The United 
States is very concerned with the elevated levels of violence 
against women and children in the DRC."  The article quoted charge's 
opening remarks at length, as well as responses by USAID mission 
chief, OSC chief, and a USAID program officer, outlining the various 
programs supported by USG to fight SBGV in the DRC. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The pro-opposition newspaper "Le Phare" ran a 
three-quarter-page story on page 11 below the fold.  The headline 
read "Fight Against Sexual Violence:  Obama Plan for the DRC."  The 
article, which was illustrated by a large photo of President Obama, 
described the various USG programs fighting SGBV in the DRC and 
paraphrased the remarks of embassy representatives. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Note:  The Obama administration's commitment to the fight 
against SGBV was emphasized by charge in his opening remarks.  End 
note. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) In a one-third page below the fold article on page 4, the 
pro-government newspaper "L'Avenir" emphasized the total amount of 
USG spending to fight SGBV in the DRC.  Beneath a headline reading 
"Struggle Against Sexual Violence in the DRC:  American Government 
Spends $10 million," the article carried the following lead: "Sexual 
violence against women and young girls is occurring throughout the 
DRC.  The fundamental causes are inequalities between the sexes and 
the dehumanization of women." 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Note:  The lead in article in "L'Avenir" is an almost 
verbatim paraphrase of charge's opening remarks, and went on to cite 
a USAID fact-sheet handed out at the press event.  End note. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) The independent newspaper "Le Potential" ran a story with 
the headline "U.S. Gets Involved in Fight Against Sexual Violence in 
the DRC" on its website at following address: 
http://www.lepotentiel.com/afficher_article.p hp?i 
d_article=82921&id_edition=4715 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Television coverage was also extensive and positive.  RTGA 
television broadcast 1:30 minute segment which described the problem 
and the USG programs in response, specifically medical aid to 
survivors of SGBV, legal and military reform, and community 
outreach.  RAGA ran a 2:00 minute segment which described how the 
USG supported GDRC in the fight against SGBV, focusing on health 
care to survivors as well as legal and military reform.  RAGA also 
ran a separate interview with USAID mission chief, which it 
conducted shortly after the event.  Antenne A television focused on 
humanitarian assistance to SGBV survivors and legal and military 
reforms.  The program aired the charge d'affaires, in response to a 
question, saying:  "The USG is helping to reform the legal system in 
the DRC, but we can only do so much.  The rest must come from the 
DRC itself."  Antenne A also ran an excerpt of USAID program officer 
describing health care activities in eastern DRC.  Canal Kin focused 
on health care for SGBV survivors and legal and military reforms. 
MONUC's Radio Okapi reported on the Office of Security Cooperation's 
request for a MedCap program to strengthen medical capacity to treat 
victims of SGBV, and also described other programs.  Online journal 
"Congoforum" published an article on its website at this address: 
http://www.congoforum.be/fr/nieuwsdetail.asp? subi 
 
KINSHASA 00000624  002 OF 002 
 
 
tem=2&newsid=158623&Actualiteit=selected.  The article cites the $10 
million figure from the press handout. 
 
¶10.  (SBU) Comment:  As previously mentioned (see reftel) the 
Congolese media is intensely interested in SGBV in the DRC, is 
appreciative of USG efforts to fight this scourge, and is eager to 
work with Embassy Kinshasa to use a media platform to educate and 
increase awareness with the public.  Future USG activities to fight 
SGBV should take advantage of the local media's interest in this 
most serious problem.  End comment. 
BROCK