Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05KINSHASA332
2005-02-28 09:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

OFFICIAL REQUEST FROM GDROC FOR U.S. MILITARY

Tags:  MARR PGOV PREL KPKO CG 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000332 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL KPKO CG
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL REQUEST FROM GDROC FOR U.S. MILITARY
COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE


UNCLAS KINSHASA 000332

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR PGOV PREL KPKO CG
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL REQUEST FROM GDROC FOR U.S. MILITARY
COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE



1. Embassy received February 24 two letters from DRC Minister
of Defense Alphonse Onasumba to acting Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense Theresa Whelan, requesting that the U.S.

SIPDIS
consider reactiving the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA)
with the DRC and provide assistance to the Trilateral
Agreement by locating the proposed fusion cell in the DRC.
Informal Embassy translation of the letters follows. Embassy
will forward the originals to the Pentagon.

Letter #1

February 24, 2005

Letter of Intent

(complementary opening)

The Congolese Government appreciates its good relations with
the United States.

I salute the efforts of the U.S. Government to assist the
transition in the DRC, particularly in the arena of resolving
general issues of defense and security and in particular, for
the formation of a new and restructured national army.

The GDROC hopes to reinforce the cooperative relations
between our two governments in the area of military
cooperation by revitalizing the existing Status of Forces
Agreement (SOFA) and by concluding a new agreement on
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing (ACSA),and notably, seeks
cooperation in the training of Congolese officers, the
expansion of the language laboratory, establishment of a
military program to combat HIV/AIDS, etc.

(complementary close)

Letter #2

February 23, 2005

The GDROC views with the greatest interest the proposal by
the U.S. to establish a fusion cell in support of the
Trilateral Agreement.

The GDROC strongly hopes that the U.S. will agree to
establish this cell on its territory, perhaps in Goma
(province of North Kivu) or Bukavu (province of South Kivu).

The Congolese Ministry of Defense is prepared to fully
support the operations of this cell by contributing Congolese
experts and also by assuring the security of all personnel
attached to the fusion cell.

It is clear that establishing this Trilateral institution in
the Congo would greatly improve the workings of the Joint
Verification Mission (JVM) operating in Goma and soon to
begin operating in Bukavu.

(complementary close)


2. Bujumbura minimize considered.
MEECE