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