CIAT MEETS WITH ESPACE PRESIDENTIEL OCT 6

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KINSHASA 001868

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/06/2014
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPKO KDEM CG
SUBJECT: CIAT MEETS WITH ESPACE PRESIDENTIEL OCT 6

REF: KINSHASA 1867

Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROGER MEECE, REASON 1.4 (B/D)


1. (C) Summary: The first-ever meeting of the "Espace
Presidentiel" (President plus four vice presidents) with the
International Committee to Accompany the Transition (CIAT)
was held October 6, albeit without Vice President Bemba,
currently in the U.S. Discussion focused on the transition
"road map" (reftel),military integration, and election
preparations. The military integration discussion noted
efforts to arrive at a coordinated plan, and an initiative to
form an integrated "Kivu Brigade." Concerns about available
finances and a short preparation time for elections were
discussed. Ruberwa presented legally-based concerns about
the issue of a census, and some of the Congolese comments
predictably focused on problems of international financial
support. Agreement was reached to establish a follow-up
committee, and to consider the establishment of
sub-committees, as well as future full Espace Presidentiel
meetings. In general, it was a useful precedent-setting
exercise, even with a few sour notes. End summary.


2. (C) The International Committee to Accompany the
Transition (CIAT) met with President Kabila, three of the
four DRC Vice Presidents (VP Bemba is in the U.S.),and the
head of the Independent Electoral Commission (CEI) October 6.
Numerous other presidential staff were also present. The
meeting was in response to a very long-standing request from
the CIAT to meet with the "Espace Presidentiel" (President
plus four Vice Presidents),never previously successfully
realized largely due to the continued deep mistrust felt by
the rival leaders in the Transition Government.


3. (SBU) Primary topics discussed during the roughly
two-hour meeting included the transition "road map," military
integration and related questions associated with disarmament
and demobilization, election preparations, and modalities for
future work. The CIAT had furnished the Congolese officials
with its latest iteration of the road map, laying out CIAT
expectations for the main four focus areas of the transition
(military integration and DDR, disarmament of foreign armed
groups, elections, and extension of state authority
throughout the DRC - see reftel).


4. (C) After opening pleasantries, President Kabila
acknowledged receipt of the CIAT road map, and observed that
it closely followed the overall structure of the government's
own draft road map, although he reported the latter to be far
more detailed outlining steps requiring action. He also said
that the GDRC road map is to be discussed with a view toward
adoption at a Friday, October 8 meeting of the Council of
Ministers. By the time the meeting ended, Kabila arranged to
distribute to all CIAT members the bulky current draft of the
GDRC plan.


5. (C) In opening comments, SRSG Bill Swing expressed CIAT
pleasure in holding the meeting, noted the need for similar
future meetings at regular intervals, and the desire to have
established follow-up mechanisms. Swing specifically
proposed that another full Espace Presidentiel meeting should
be held linked to the planned late November visit to Kinshasa
by members of the U.N. Security Council.


6. (C) By prior arrangement, the French Ambassador opened the
substantive CIAT presentation by speaking about military
integration plans, including successful steps taken to date
such as the Belgian-sponsored formation of the integrated
Ituri Brigade as a counterpart to the "post-Artemis" MONUC
Ituri Brigade. He observed, however, that there has been a
lack of a coordinated master plan for overall integration,
with little general progress realized to-date and
corresponding problems created for demobilization and
reintegration plans, as well as for general security. He
reported very promising discussions underway to arrive at a
more coordinated international community position, and
specifically put forward an idea to move quickly to form an
integrated "Kivu Brigade." The latter would be consistent
with a developing consensus to harmonize currently
uncoordinated South African and Belgium proposals, and it
could be meshed easily with standing World Bank
demobilization plans. In addition, the proposed brigade
would be useful to address continuing security concerns in
the east, associated in part with a very confused and often
contentious current FARDC military structure in the region.
As well, it would be fashioned to take on the task of
forcible disarmament of foreign combatants in the area as
needed. The French Ambassador further noted that the IMF had
indicated that $75 million has been earmarked in the 2005
budget for military integration (note: an amount which
includes the police),although the specific sourcing for
these funds has not yet been identified (e.g., international
support, GDRC receipts). He expressed optimism that European
countries would be in a position to provide significant
support in this regard.

7. (C) The European Commission Delegate followed with a
presentation noting CIAT concerns about pending or recently
passed election-related laws, and the potential impact on
elections. He reflected widespread concerns about the
relatively short time remaining before elections should be
held according to the Global and All-Inclusive Accord
timetable.


8. (C) In the final CIAT statement, the U.K. Ambassador
picked up on ideas put forward during the recent senior-level
CIAT member meeting in New York, proposing to establish three
CIAT sub-committees dealing with security sector reform,
election-related legislation, and election planning. He
observed that the sub-committees would in no way be conceived
to supplant future general "Espace Presidentiel" meetings.


9. (C) Vice President Ruberwa (RCD-Goma) was the first on the
Congolese side to react, welcoming the CIAT road map and
observing that he and others would need more time to review
the document for any inconsistencies with the proposed GDRC
document. He noted that DDR is not particularly advanced,
but it is ahead of integration efforts in that significant
funding has already been found. He further welcomed the
proposal to form a Kivu Brigade. On a less positive note,
regarding elections, Ruberwa focused on legal concerns about
the need for a census prior to elections. He noted that the
government had accepted the idea of a voter registration
exercise, vice full census, given constraints of time and
money but added that an "administrative census" is still
needed in order properly to allocate legislative seats and
representation. Ruberwa also noted that separate versions of
a nationality law passed by the Senate and National Assembly
were both "more or less" in accordance with the government's
proposals.


10. (C) Vice President Zahidi Ngoma (opposition parties) also
endorsed the Kivu Brigade initiative, emphasized that Sun
City accords should not be rewritten (in terms of election
preparations),and expressed general support for the road
map, albeit with the caveat that such plans need to be
sufficiently flexible to respond to changing conditions.
Later, Zahidi expressed concerns that international funding
support for elections is insufficient or available only late,
threatening timely implementation. Vice President Yerodia,
in vintage style, made some opening observations about the
good fortune that the CIAT had not been given the label of
"FIAT," and that the "Loch Ness monster" of the transition
needs adequate international support to ensure that it is
controlled.


11. (C) In subsequent discussion, President Kabila endorsed
the general ideas put forward by the CIAT, and specifically
called for a follow-up committee meeting as early as this
Saturday, October 9, to address issues raised. SRSG Swing
and some CIAT members expressed confidence that adequate
funds would be identified for election planning and
implementation, but also observed that other elements (e.g.,
needed laws) additionally need to be in place. There was
substantial back-and-forth on the census question, based
largely on the implicit recognition by at least the CIAT
members that a larger census exercise, even if theoretically
desirable, is simply not feasible within the constraints of
time and money available. SRSG Swing underscored the
principle that the "perfect should not become the enemy of
the good."


12. (C) Comment: The CIAT had been working to have a meeting
of this nature for about a year. Even without Bemba present,
and with some of the sour notes struck by some of the
Congolese, it was a useful precedent-setting exercise with
the various rival Vice Presidents present. The effort by
Zahidi and others in essence to set up the international
community to take the fall for delayed elections or worse is
unhelpful, but very much consistent with long-established
Congolese history. It is unlikely to play well this time
around, however, because unlike past periods, a broad range
of the Congolese population have strong expectations that
results will be produced. It is clear that many Congolese
leaders recognize that like it or not, they cannot afford to
be identified with failure on this front. The CIAT will, of
course, continue to push strongly for rapid election
progress. Most if not all members recognize that it will be
difficult logistically, if for no other reason, to get
elections organized by next June, the current target date.
It is also accepted by all, however, that it is imperative to
provide Congolese politicians no maneuvering room to exploit
opportunities to delay. Likewise, the spotlight must remain
on Congolese leaders, and not on the international community,
to take responsibility for progress or lack thereof regarding
elections. The news regarding GDRC endorsement as early as
this week of the government's road map is also a welcome
development. End comment.


MEECE