KINSHASA - SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001730 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA AND DS/IP/AF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER SUBJECT: KINSHASA - SECURITY ENVIRONMENT PROFILE QUESTIONNAIRE (SEPQ) REF: A) STATE 185263 B) KINSHASA 00354 ¶1. (SBU) Our responses to the questionnaire have not changed dramatically since our last submission in reftel (B). However, there is more narrative explanation due to the events of June 3-6. ¶2. (SBU) POLITICAL VIOLENCE a. Yes. b. There were city-wide demonstrations from June 3-6 that targeted the United Nations which to a certain degree spilled over to the U.S. and other Embassies in Kinshasa. The objective of the demonstrators was to voice their dissatisfaction with the fact that MONUC (the U.N) did nothing in response to military action taken by a renegade general in the city of Bukavu in eastern Congo. c. Yes. The June 3-6 demonstrations did occur in the vicinity of the Embassy. However, the EAC agreed that this was a result of the fact that the Embassy is located within 2 blocks of MONUC Headquarters. d. N/A. There have not been any demonstrations specifically targeting the U.S. Embassy. e. The June demonstrations were triggered by domestic issues. f. Although the majority of demonstrations in Kinshasa are peaceful, the June demonstrations were quite violent. g. There was slight damage to the Embassy - three broken windows from rocks/debris being thrown by the demonstrators. h. No. i. Yes. There are frequent peaceful demonstrations by civil servants and teachers usually due to the lack of payment of salaries. j. Yes. k. Although there were several thousands of demonstrators during the events of June 3-6, the average size of most demonstrations is 100-200. l. Most of the demonstrations are usually peaceful. m. As mentioned above, the Embassy did suffer minor damage during the June demonstrations. ¶3. (SBU) MACRO CONFLICT CONDITIONS a. Yes. An intrastate conflict. b. It is limited to the eastern part of the country. c. No. d. Some of the factions involved in the conflict have signaled a slight anti-American stance, but nothing too serious. ¶4. (SBU) HOST COUNTRY CAPABILITIES a. No. b. Yes. Limited training in document fraud, personal protection and chemical and biological training has been given to a limited number of Congolese security personnel. The effectiveness of the training is difficult to determine. However, we believe that the training was somewhat effective and better than none at all. c. Yes. d. The Congolese Intelligence Services are as professional as they can be with their limited resources and training. e. Yes. f. No. g. Yes. h. Poor. i. Ineffective. j. Ineffective ¶5. (SBU) ANTI-AMERICAN TERRORIST GROUPS a. Yes. b. Two. ALIR and FDLR. c. No. d. N/A. e. No. f. No. g. Limited to a specific region - eastern Congo. h. No. ¶6. (SBU) OTHER INDIGENOUS TERRORIST GROUPS a. Yes. b. The UPC and several other uncontrolled armed groups. c. No. d. N/A. e. N/A. ¶7. (SBU) TRANSNATIONAL TERRORISM a. No. There are individuals in Kinshasa and elsewhere in the Congo who may be sympathetic to certain terrorist groups (such as Hamas and Hezbollah),but we believe that there are no known operational cells in the country. There are reports of a group called the Al Qaida Fan Club but the members are more than likely sympathizers and not operatives. the majority of the people b. The EAC assesses these as possibly financial support and/or propaganda cells. c. No. d. There are Islamic NGO's operating in Congo. The EAC has no reason to believe they represent a threat to U.S. interests. e. Yes. f. Low. g. Easily accessible. ¶8. (U) POC is RSO Jeff Lischke at 243-81-88-44608 (cell) or 934 ext. 2207 (IVG). MEECE