CONGO/B: APPREHENDING FUGITIVE ICTR INDICTEES

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000221 SIPDIS SENSITIVE FOR S/WCI AMB PROSPER FROM BRAZZAVILLE EMBASSY OFFICE E.O.12958: N/A TAGS: KAWC KJUS ICTR SUBJECT: CONGO/B: APPREHENDING FUGITIVE ICTR INDICTEES Ref: A) State 11130 B) Sanders-to-Prosper Jan 2005 email. ¶1. (U) Post continues to follow the Awards for Justice programs very closely and the Ambassador engages President Sassou on the issue at every opportunity. Although, the ROC government turned over two genocidaires in 2003, there continue to be reports that Protuis Mpinaya travels regularly between both Congos. ¶2. (SBU) The Congo/B government and President Sassou have stated to the Embassy that in the past they have not received accurate information on the location of Mpinaya from the UN investigators. The UN investigators have told the Mission on several occasions that they believe some members of the ROC government continue to assist Mpinaya, although there is no indication that President Sassou is part of this. The investigators' view may or may not be true and post will continue to regularly monitor the issue. We believe however that it is highly possible that ROC officials could be helping Mpinaya. ¶3. (U) Future Actions: Coordination between the investigators and Mission could be enhanced, with investigators advising the Mission when it plans to be in ROC so that the Embassy can better assist. At present investigator rarely give the Embassy advance notice to be helpful and many times arrive without the Post being notified. Because of this, there is always a scramble at the last minute to try to respond to the investigators' current game plan which many times includes engaging the most senior levels of government including President Sassou. ¶4. (U) As per Ref B, Post welcomes visit of Ambassador Prosper in mid-to-late-March and Embassy will confirm President Sassou's availability for the visit as soon as possible. ¶5. (U) Brazzaville Embassy Office - Sanders Meece