VP BEMBA FLYING HIGH ON TRAVEL TO U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001552

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2014
TAGS: ECON PGOV PREL CG
SUBJECT: VP BEMBA FLYING HIGH ON TRAVEL TO U.S.

Classified By: Econoff Peter Newman for reasons 1.5 b/d


1. (C) Summary. On Aug 12, Amb Meece paid an introductory
courtesy call on Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba during
which Bemba reiterated his desire to meet with U.S. officials
during travel to the U.S. in October. Bemba has previously
made a strong push for an invitation for official travel to
the U.S. He has now taken the track of requesting meetings
while already in the U.S. for other reasons, in this case the
annual World Bank/IMF meetings. Ambassador diplomatically
pushed back on the travel issue citing potential conflicts as
well as security concerns during the upcoming IFI meetings in
Washington. End Summary.


2. (C) VP Bemba has relaunched his campaign to meet with
high-level USG officials during travel to the U.S. He has
previously strongly requested an invitation for an official
visit to hold meetings with cabinet level officials (e.g.
Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, etc). Not

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having received such an invitation, he is now proposing that
Post assist in arranging meetings with USG officials while he
is in Washington for the World Bank/IMF conferences in early
October.


3. (C) Bemba transitioned into this part of the discussion
with Ambassador Meece after citing the economic progress the
DRC has made, especially since his taking office. He planted
the idea as an opportunity to meet with potential investors.
Bemba reiterated that the USG has never invited him to the
U.S., and that he would like to meet with U.S. officials.


4. (C) Ambassador countered by mentioning several major
distractions for Washington officials which would potentially
limit their availability in the next two months, including
the upcoming UNGA session on Sept 22. (Comment. It is
unlikely that Bemba will be permitted by President Kabila to
attend the UNGA, even if he so desired, as Foreign Minister
Ramazani is of the MLC and closely tied to Bemba. End
Comment.) Ambassador also cautioned Bemba that September and
October falls during the tail end of the political season in
the U.S., and many government officials, especially
Congressmen, will not be in Washington. Bemba grudgingly
acknowledged that the trip might be a problem, but
nevertheless continued to push for USG support for high-level
meetings and possible other programming.


5. (C) Ambassador also noted the recent security warning for
the IFI conferences. He emphasized that security will be
tight and movement in downtown Washington will be restricted,
adding another hindrance to meeting facilitation. Bemba
seemed to take the comment rather seriously and asked
worriedly if this will be a serious problem for travel.
Ambassador assured Bemba that we have no recent specific
threat information and that he will inform Bemba if there is
reason for concern.


6. (C) Comment. We do not recommend an official visit to DC
for Bemba, whose motives are in large part, personal.
President Kabila has already met with senior USG officials
and for Bemba this is a sore spot personally and politically.
As head of the MLC, Bemba could potentially face serious
human rights abuse allegations by the International Criminal
Court. This makes it even less desirable to help arrange
high-profile cabinet level meetings for him. End Comment.
MEECE