VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHKI #0857/01 2651215
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 221215Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0102

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000857 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PHUM PREL PGOV CG
SUBJECT:    S/P'S ROSS, COHEN AND PATEL MEET WITH CONGOLESE 
    OFFICIALS TO DISCUSS INNOVATIVE APPROACHES IN THE 
            FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND SGBV 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  The visit of Senior Advisor for Innovation, Alec 
Ross, to Kinshasa and Goma September 9-12, accompanied by Policy 
Planning staff Jared Cohen and Mira Patel, was an opportunity to 
advance progress on the new U.S. - DRC partnership following 
Secretary Clinton's August 10-11 visit.  In meetings with the 
government, civil society, the private sector, humanitarian 
organizations and the international community, as well as site 
visits to displaced persons camps in eastern DRC, Ross explored how 
we might leverage the U.S. technology sector to support the DRC's 
development.  Several proposed initiatives were discussed, with 
electronic payment systems for the military showing particular 
promise.  Key to the success of any inititive will be ensuring 
sufficient U.S. resources while at the same time securing strong 
political commitment from the highest levels of the GDRC.  All 
Kinshasa meetings took place on September 10.  A message on the S/P 
visitors' meetings in Goma will follow septel.  End summary. 
 
Leveraging technology to address DRC's Challenges 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶2.  (U) In an initial briefing with the ambassador, Cohen described 
his visit's objectives as advancing the Secretary's initiative for 
DRC by using technology as a tool for empowerment.  Ross stressed 
that he was looking for measurable, achievable results-oriented 
projects in three focus areas: (1) leveraging technology to make 
vulnerable populations in eastern DRC, particularly women and 
children, less vulnerable.  This could include, for example, 
providing vulnerable populations with real-time information on 
insecure areas; (2) increased access to the judicial system in 
remote, rural areas of eastern DRC by linking victims through video 
technology to magistrates in Kinshasa; and (3) using technology to 
stem the illegal trade of minerals in eastern DRC. 
 
GDRC Meetings 
-------------- 
 
¶3.  (U) During a meeting with Minister of Mines Martin Kabwelulu, 
Ross highlighted his desire to learn about the DRC's mining sector 
and how the USG can encourage legal exploitation of the country's 
mineral wealth.  Kabwelulu noted that the Secretary's visit showed 
that the DRC is becoming a country where the private sector can now 
do business:  before, conflict had prevented real investment and 
decades of economic mismanagement under Mobuto had prevented true 
development of the country.  Kabwelulu stated that major challenges 
for the DRC include both food security and changing the mentality of 
the population -- both important to ensure a strong work ethic.  He 
lamented past exploitation projects in the mining sector, noting the 
revenues had not been used for the DRC's development.  To ensure 
revenues from the mining sector now benefit the Congolese 
population, the GDRC, with technical assistance from the World Bank, 
drafted a new mining law in 2002.  The GDRC also launched a review 
in 2007 of 61 contracts.  Turning to the illegal minerals trade in 
the east, Kabwelulu said the GDRC had appointed a team to determine 
steps to stem illegal trade.  A key part of GDRC efforts includes 
providing specialized services including "Centers for Negotiations" 
to support tractability through mechanisms such as uniform 
packaging.  The GDRC has also reduced taxes on comptoirs to 
encourage legal trade. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Kabwelulu used the last part of the meeting to "send a 
message" to the USG on the contract renegotiation of 
Freeport-McMoRan's TFM project.  Specifically, he complained that 
TFM's contract did not comply with DRC law, that the company was 
QTFM's 
contract did not comply with DRC law, that the company was 
"taking advantage" of their existing contract and that it does not 
provide Gecamines sufficient management control.  There remain five 
points of disagreement between TFM and the GDRC; negotiations 
continue.  Referring to concerns raised by the Secretary during her 
visit, Kabwelulu stated that the DRC had not accepted uranium, but 
did recognize the challenge of controlling the sector's exploitation 
given the large number of small-scale diggers.  He requested U.S. 
assistance for improved surveillance. 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Comment:  While Kabwelulu's comment on TFM was 
disappointing, particularly given the context of the meeting, it is 
hardly surprising- he has previously been a hurdle in the 
negotiations and is likely playing hardball during what he sees as a 
last chance effort to get a cut of the deal.  Econ Counselor noted 
to Kabwelulu that while the negotiations were private--between the 
company and the government -- our concern has always been in 
ensuring a fair and transparent process and that the numerous delays 
in finalizing the revisitation process sent a negative message to 
investors about the DRC. End comment. 
 
¶6.  (U) At his meeting with Adolphe Mulamu Mulenda, President 
Kabila's Chief of Staff, Ross outlined his trip objectives and 
possible initiatives and noted his desire for projects that support 
Kabila's "cinq chantiers" or priority sectors for development. 
Cohen added that the US private sector is looking for new partners. 
The USG is interested in linking the US private sector to support 
development in the DRC, with a particular focus on supporting 
 
 
security and stability in eastern DRC. The Chief of Staff stated 
that the Secretary's visit came at a crossroads in the U.S.-DRC 
bilateral relationship and he requested additional details on how 
technology could be used to support our shared goals.  Ross and 
Cohen outlined the three focus areas noted in para. 2, stressing 
that these are initial ideas and that coordination with the GDRC was 
key as we move toward any implementation.  Ross highlighted the 
successful electronic payments systems implemented for military and 
police in Afghanistan as one example of leveraging new technology. 
Cohen also noted how technology had been used in the U.S. to make 
populations safer.  Deputy Chief of Staff Henri Yav asked how 
technology could be used to support health and education -- two of 
Kabila's five priorities areas -- noting that both lack of access 
and infrastructure were key challenges in these sectors. Cohen noted 
the link between tele-justice and education and that there were many 
examples of successful telemedicine projects. Ross concluded the 
meeting by stressing the USG's sustained engagement and new 
relationship with both the GDRC and the private sector. 
 
¶7.  (U) Telecommunications and Postal Minister Louis Munga Mesozi 
noted a number of efforts to support the DRC's telecommunications 
infrastructure to increase access to services.  These include 
several projects -- either planned or underway -- to connect the DRC 
to various existing fiber optic cable networks.  Noting the low 
rates of ICT penetration in the DRC -- 15% for cellular and 1.8% for 
internet -- the minister welcomed Ross' proposals to engage the U.S. 
telecommunications sector. 
 
 
Engaging with the Private Sector on Electronic Banking 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶8.  (U) A roundtable discussion with the leading investors in the 
telecommunications sector -- Zain, Tigo and Vodacom -- highlighted 
electronic or mobile banking as a possible mechanism to support new 
salary payment systems for police and military as a means of 
reducing human rights violations, including SGBV, by security 
forces.  The telecom reps voiced strong enthusiasm for electronic 
payment systems, noting that the Congolese Central Bank on 
electronic banking that would soon be submitted to Parliament.  A 
current constraint has been that the current banking laws do not 
address electronic banking. Vodacom noted that they planned to soon 
launch their MPass system in the DRC and were simply waiting for 
Central Bank authorization.  Ross invited the telecommunications 
sector to work as partners with the USG on developing a payment 
system for soldiers' salaries, noting the USG can play a 
facilitator's role such as organizing a delegation of private sector 
leaders in mobile banking to visit the DRC.  The telecom reps noted 
that while the eastern DRC was generally well covered in terms of 
cellular networks, a number of challenges exist.  These include the 
DRC's difficult security and investment climate, limited 
infrastructure (in particular, electricity), and GDRC regulatory 
issues regarding the issuance of 3G licenses. 
 
¶9.  (U) Representatives from the banking sector, including Citigroup 
and Trust Merchant Bank, voiced less enthusiasm for mobile banking 
for soldiers salaries.  One representative questioned why the GDRC 
had never discussed the concept with the banking sector if it was 
really a possible solution to salary payment issues.  Other 
challenges noted by the banking sector included a lack of liquidity 
and need to develop cash-out systems.  More generally, one banker 
Qand 
need to develop cash-out systems.  More generally, one banker 
stated that mobile banking risked further marginalizing the DRC's 
fragile financial services sector.  Ross and Cohen highlighted the 
successful Afghanistan model and offered to facilitate communication 
between the DRC banking sector and leaders in mobile banking such as 
the CEO of Roshan. 
 
International Community Notes Challenges 
----------------------------------------- 
 
¶10.  (U) A lunch with donor ambassadors and heads of multilateral 
organizations highlighted many of the challenges to implementing 
effective new measures to address the DRC's challenges. SRSG Doss, 
for example, noted that SGBV extended well beyond the east and would 
take significant efforts to combat -- the international community is 
looking to reinforce existing programs.  One key issue is creating 
greater control of and discipline within the FARDC.  The DRC's large 
size and lack of infrastructure represent other key challenges for 
MONUC. MONUC is exploring how to better use existing surveillance 
centers so that they can prevent, not just react to, acts of 
violence.  Other challenges raised by various donor Ambassadors 
echoed those of SRSG Doss -- lack of infrastructure and related 
mobility and absence of discipline with the FARDC.  The issue of 
impunity was also raised as a challenge.  There was broad consensus 
that ensuring payment of salaries to the FARDC was key to improving 
discipline and reducing human rigts violations by the security 
forces.  Participants also concurred on the importance of the 
changed regional dynamics -- in particular between Kinshasa and 
Kigali -- in promoting peace and security in eastern DRC.  Finally, 
Ross asked about national Congolese figures who can play a positive 
 
 
role in messaging on SGBV. Religious institutions -- above all the 
Catholic Church -- were described as important vehicles to reach 
more remote populations through existing communications networks. 
 
¶11.  (U) The last event in the visitors' busy schedule was an 
informal dinner with representatives of civil society, including 
UNICEF, ICRC, IRC, the Carter Center, the UNJRHO (UN Joint Human 
Rights Office) and UNHCR.  As with lunch earlier in the day, a 
number of concerns were raised regarding lack of infrastructure and 
the questionable commitment of the Congolese government to carry out 
meaningful reform.  Discussions focused on using technology to 
bolster the criminal justice system, payment of soldiers and 
reducing the incidence of SGBV. 
 
¶12.  (U) Cable on the visitors' meetings in Goma will follow septel. 
 
 
¶13.  (U) Mr. Ross cleared/cleared on this message. 
 
GARVELINK