MONUC PURSUES MILITIA INVOLVED IN PEACEKEEPERS'

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000355

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PREL MARR CG
SUBJECT: MONUC PURSUES MILITIA INVOLVED IN PEACEKEEPERS'
KILLINGS

REF: KINSHASA 337


1. (SBU) According to MONUC sources, a contingent of 242
Pakistani special peacekeeping forces on March 1 conducted a
military operation against the Front for National Integration
(FNI) in Djugu territory, Ituri. These sources said that
MONUC engaged over 100 militia and inflicted "heavy
casualties" on their camp, although at this point there are
no specific figures. The operation involved the use of attack
helicopters and armored personnel carriers. Two peacekeepers
were injured during the engagement and have been evacuated to
South Africa for medical treatment. Both are expected to
recover. Reports have linked the FNI and Patriotic Force of
Resistance in Ituri (FRPI) militias to the brutal killings of
nine Bangladeshi peacekeepers on February 25 in the outskirts
of Kafe, Ituri (reftel).


2. (SBU) MONUC sources also report that on March 1st,
peacekeepers arrested FNI military commander Etienne Lona.
Other FNI leaders arrested in Kinshasa in the past few days
include the group's president, Floribert Njabu, and commander
Goda Sopka. The commander of the FRPI, Germain Katanga, a
close ally of the Lendu FNI, is also in government custody.


3. (U) MONUC held a memorial service for the nine slain
Bangladeshi peacekeepers at its Kinshasa headquarters March
1st. All four Congolese Vice-Presidents (Jean Pierre Bemba,
Azarias Ruberwa, Arthur Zahidi Ngoma, and Abdulaye Yerodia)
as well as the Ministers of Interior, Justice, Foreign
Affairs, and Information, attended the service. CIAT members,
including the Ambassador, and representatives of
troop-contributing countries were also present. SRSG William
Swing and other MONUC speakers eulogized the peacekeepers and
emphasized the mission's unshaken commitment to the cause of
peace in the DRC.


4. (U) Bujujmbura minimized considered.
MEECE