GUATEMALAN PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOY TO KISANGANI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000551

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/01/2015
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL MARR MOPS CG
SUBJECT: GUATEMALAN PEACEKEEPERS DEPLOY TO KISANGANI

REF: GUATEMALA 828

Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.4 B and D


1. (C) Summary. MONUC deployed a contingent of 105 Guatemalan
special forces trained in counter-insurgency to Kisangani
March 29 to serve as a highly mobile unit for crisis
situations around the country. End Summary.


2. (C) A MONUC military source in Kisangani told poloff that
a contingent of Guatemalan special forces had arrived at
Divisional Headquarters in Kisangani March 29. According to
the source, this unit consists of 105 elite soldiers trained
in counter-insurgency in the tropical jungles of Guatemala.
They have sophisticated weapons and communications equipment
and will function as a highly mobile asset ready to be
deployed to any part of the Congo for crisis situations.


3. (C) The MONUC source said this unit could be very
effective if used in appropriate situations, such as
capturing militia leaders and freeing hostages, adding that
"MONUC should not let politics get in the way of effective
use of this force." According to him, MONUC's military staff
in Kisangani were quite impressed by the unit's credentials,
motivation, and equipment, and felt this asset gives MONUC
much-needed operational flexibility.


4. (C) A Guatemalan milob who traveled with his special
forces colleagues told poloff March 29 Guatemalan soldiers
were looking forward to service in the DRC and that all of
them had received substantial orientation on
non-fraternization and sexual conduct issues. He said the
Guatemalan contingent was highly disciplined, and did not
expect any problems during their deployment in the Congo.
MEECE