Congo/Brazzaville: 2005 Country Report

UNCLAS KINSHASA 002049

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR S/CT RHONDA SHORE, ED SALAZAR
AF/C MADEEHA ASHRAF, PLEASE PASS TO NCTC
PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER

FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER ASEC KCRM EFIN KHLS CF KAPO
SUBJECT: Congo/Brazzaville: 2005 Country Report
On Terrorism

REF: SECSTATE 193439


1. (SBU) The Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) has taken
impressive strides in 2005 to strengthen cooperation with both
domestic and international partners in the fight against
terrorism. Mindful of the Republic of Congo's emerging
reputation as an oil-sector heavyweight in the central African
region behind Nigeria and Angola, President Sassou-Nguesso and
Foreign Minister Adada have, in recent weeks, strongly
endorsed and advertised counter-terrorism training received
from the Government of South Africa, United Nations
Development Program UNDP),and the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC). In a meeting with Charge d'affaires on
December 7, President Sassou-Nguesso pledged cooperation with
the United States on anti-terrorism issues, stabilization in
the Darfor region and brokering peaceful settlements in other
conflict areas.


2. (SBU) Sassou-Nguesso's primary interest in promoting
this enhanced security portfolio is due, in part, to Congo-
Brazzaville's elevation to a seat on the United Nations
Security Council for 2006-2007, and, his widely-rumored
accession to the chairmanship of the African Union, replacing
Angolan President Edouard dos Santos. This level of
international exposure would reassure and encourage the
continued return of diplomatic missions and business community
to Brazzaville, slowly rebuilding its infrastructure and
reputation as the "peaceful Congo" following the ravages of
civil war in 1997.


3. (U) Republic of Congo military officers recently
participated in a Small Arms Suppression (SAS) exercise co-
hosted by the Government of South Africa and UNDP, and were
briefed on procedures to identify and stop the transfer of
arms across border areas. The ICRC conducted a two-week
seminar for gendarme, police and other law enforcement
officials in early November on the appropriate use of force
and on measures to monitor possible criminal or terrorist
activities. For its part, Embassy Brazzaville fielded four
candidates to attend the December 6-8 seminar in Rabat on the
control of radioactive materials, and will send two mid-level
officers to the January ACSS course. President Sassou-Nguesso
acknowledged these efforts, but has requested stronger MIL-to-
MIL cooperation from the United States as its presence is re-
established here with ground-breaking for a New Embassy
Compound by mid-2006.


4. (SBU) Embassy Brazzaville concurs with assessments from
western-embassy contacts, ICRC, UNDP and host-government
security officials that no evidence exists to identify the
Republic of Congo as a safehaven, sanctuary, financial trading
center or supporter of any terrorist group or terrorist
activities. The relatively small (2-3 percent) Muslim
population of Chadian, Malian, Lebanese and Arab traders in
Pointe Noire and Brazzaville are well integrated and accepted
into Congolese society, and there are no indigenous groups
which pose a viable threat to domestic security at this time .


5. (U) If further information is required, please contact
terrorism reporting officer, Charge d'affaires Mark
Biedlingmaier.


6. Embassy Brazzaville Office - Biedlingmaier

MEECE