Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1154
2006-07-19 09:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
BEMBA'S ACTIONS DON'T MATCH HIS RHETORIC
VZCZCXRO3150 PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1154 2000958 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 190958Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4411 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001154
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ELECTIONS CG
SUBJECT: 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
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