TWO MONUC PEACEKEEPERS RELEASED FROM CAPTIVITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001008 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/27/2016 TAGS: PGOV KPKO CG SUBJECT: TWO MONUC PEACEKEEPERS RELEASED FROM CAPTIVITY REF: A. KINSHASA 898 ¶B. KINSHASA 851 Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d. ¶1. (C) MONUC-Bunia Head of Office Charles Gomis confirmed that two of the seven MONUC Nepalese peacekeepers being held hostage by Peter Karim (reftels) were released unharmed at 3am local time June 27. Gomis said the two were in "good condition," and reported that the five remaining peacekeepers in captivity were alive and well. Gomis said the Nepalese were released to two Congolese members of Parliament (representing Ituri District) who have been negotiating directly with Karim and his militia since June 23 near Kwandroma (approximately 60 miles northeast of Bunia). According to Gomis, dialogue is continuing between these two representatives and Karim, who is reportedly demanding to be made a general in the Congolese military. More detailed reporting of the negotiation efforts will follow septel. MEECE