AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MONUC AND UN GROUP OF EXPERTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 001027

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
EUCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/20/2016
TAGS: MCAP PREL MCC RW CG UG UNSC
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH MONUC AND UN GROUP OF EXPERTS


Classified By: POLOFF GLEARNED, REASON 1.4 (D)


1. (U) On 20 October Ambassador had separate meetings with
the Chairman of the UN DRC Group of Experts (GOE) Ambassador
Ibra Ka and MONUC Deputy Special Representative of the
Secretary-General (DSRSG) Haile Menkerios. Ka and Menkerios

SIPDIS
updated Ambassador on the status of their respective missions
and noted that Rwanda continued to improve its standing with
MONUC and the GOE as indicated by its support and compliance
with the two missions' requirements. Ka reported that the
GOR had fully complied with GOE requests regarding ongoing
investigations and Menkerios noted that Rwanda's role during
the DRC election period has been positive. End summary.


2. (U) Background. Under the auspices of UN Security
Resolution 1654, the DRC Group of Experts investigates and
reports on arms embargo violations in the DRC. The Group
consists of experts on arms trafficking, finance, aviation
and customs and border control. Ambassador Ka makes regular
visits to Embassy Kigali when he is in Rwanda, the last in
April 2006. The GOE released its latest report on 18 July
2006, shortly after, the UNSC extended its mandate to 30 July

2007. End background.


3. (C) Ambassador Ka, accompanied by political affairs
officer Manuel Bressan, provided a brief update on the recent
work of the GOE, including a section in the latest report on
the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
Ambassador Ka described a problem with the Ugandan Defense
Minister not allowing the GOE to conduct an investigation at
Entebbe, but said "things are improving very well" with
Rwanda. He said some of the GOE members were currently
conducting investigations in Rwanda, including inspecting
cargo manifests and flight itineraries, and that "Rwanda was
abiding very positively."


4. (C) Ambassadors Ka and Arietti agreed that the regular
conduct of cross border trade was robust, natural and
positive but the key problem to be resolved is ensuring that
duties and tariffs are collected by proper GDRC authorities.
Ka observed that the majority of the FDLR's financial
resources did not come from the Diaspora in Europe or North
America, but from illicit economic activities in occupied
areas inside the DRC. Ka was generous in his praise of
Ambassadors Meece and Swing and extended his appreciation for
the continual assistance of the USG to the GOE.


5. (C) In a later meeting with DSRSG Menkerios, MONUC Head of
Kigali Office Slobodan Kotevski and Special Advisor to the
DSRSG Eric Mbok, Ambassador noted the GOR's support of the
DRC election process and reiterated the USG's commitment to
the Tripartite Plus process. The DSRSG agreed that the
Tripartite Plus was an important mechanism for the region and
expressed hope that the Fusion Cell would continue to receive
enough support from the member countries to make it work. He
predicted that Kabila would win the presidential election but
doubted he would carry Kinshasa- a dynamic that could cause
problems in his governance. According to Menkerios, Bemba
would vigorously protest but his options were limited as he
did a poor job of maintaining the support of the majority of
his militia.


6. (C) When asked about the FDLR, Menkerios said that Kabila
recognizes the problem and has indicated to MONUC that he
will "deal with it" when/if elected. (Note. Menkerios used
the term "interahamwe" several times in reference to the
FDLR. End note.) Menkerios thought it would be necessary to
kill FDLR leadership, but, with improvements in the FARDC, it
was possible. However, he stated flatly that "it was
impossible for the FARDC to impact the Lord's Resistance
Army."


7. (C) Menkerios agreed that tensions were currently higher
between the governments of Uganda and the DRC than the GOR
and GDRC and said that Rwanda's role since 2004 in the region
had steadily improved. He said the GOR was playing a low key
and helpful role during the election period and noted that
legal cross border trade between Rwanda and DRC was a key to
future progress. SRSG Menkerios was scheduled to meet with
President Kagame on 20 Oct.


8. (U) Comment. Both meetings reinforced post's perception
that the GOR recognizes that it is in its best interest to
cooperate with the UN GOE and MONUC. End comment.
ARIETTI