BEMBA'S ACTIONS DON'T MATCH HIS RHETORIC

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001154 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ELECTIONS CG SUBJECT: BEMBA'S ACTIONS DON'T MATCH HIS RHETORIC ¶1. (SBU) A planned CODECO rally at Bukavu's town stadium on Monday, July 16 was the forum for a display of bullying by Vice President Bemba. Pierre Pay Pay, presidential candidate under the CODECO banner, had reserved the stadium for Monday's coveted 1300 time slot for a political rally. Before the rally could take place however, Bemba arrived at the stadium and began speaking. MONUC-sponsored Radio Okapi and local embassy contacts report that Bemba's bodyguards threatened Pay Pay and his supporters until they left the stadium. The CODECO rally has been rescheduled for July 18. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: Despite Bemba's public rhetoric of moderation and calls for elections peace, he often resorts to thuggish tactics in campaigning. This is another recent example of Bemba's inability to rein in his bad behavior even when it advertises to voters exactly the kind of president he would make. Last week in Kananga, Bemba publicly said he would "send the country up in flames" if there was elections fraud, a.k.a. if he lost. Belatedly, he is now trying to deny he said any such thing and has challenged anyone to produce proof he actually said the words -- foolishly, because the statement was broadcast on Radio Okapi. End comment. MEECE