DRC ELECTIONS: MARKETING BEMBA

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001255

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/07/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: DRC ELECTIONS: MARKETING BEMBA

REF: KINSHASA 1223

Classified By: PolOff KRBel for reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) Summary: Ambassador and U.S. Congressman Donald
Payne met with Vice President (and presidential candidate)
Jean-Pierre Bemba on August 3. During the meeting, Bemba
disingenuously said all the right things and gave all the
right responses as he pretended to distance himself from the
efforts of his exuberant "supporters" to preemptively
announce him as winner of the presidential election. End
summary.


2. (C) This second of four codel meetings with candidates
(septels) was wide-ranging and cordial, with Bemba appearing
relaxed and engaging. He stated that if he won the election,
he would create a government of national reconciliation in
which "things not completed under the transition" would be a
priority. He cited lack of progress under the transition
government as a major obstacle to future development, noting
that the DRC needs reform in the security, economic, and
social sectors. (Note: Bemba has been Vice President in
charge of economy and finance during the transition. End
note.) He also stated that he would "invite all to
participate," noting that "to organize social peace, all
leaders must be involved," and that "to make the DRC viable,
the system must be inclusive down through the local leaders."


3. (C) In response to Rep. Payne's caution that declarations
of victory were dangerous (referring to Bemba's television
stations which began broadcasting claimed results of a Bemba
victory even before polls had closed, per reftel),Bemba
countered incongruously that it was his "supporters" who were
announcing his victory, and added that he had "told them to
stop." Bemba claimed that he asked SRSG Swing to prevent
MONUC-run Radio Okapi from airing partial results as well,
asserting, "You're right -- it's better that we wait."


4. (C) Bemba referred to allegations of electoral
irregularities, claiming massive fraud was committed in the
Bukavu area (referring to the campaign of President Kabila,
which did very well in the Kivus). Bemba was careful to
state that he understood the DRC's first election in over 40
years would not be perfect, but said he reserved the right to
complain about problems which might affect the final results.



5. (C) Bemba added that he was concerned about the
impartiality of the Supreme Court, which will ultimately
adjudicate any challenges to the election process or results.
He asked that the international committee pay "special
attention" if such challenges arose. He requested that
international experts on electoral fraud be appointed to work
with the Supreme Court on such cases, noting that it will be
"important to avoid frustrations for those who feel wronged."



6. (C) Comment: Although he refrained from overtly claiming
victory, Bemba tried to project the image of a
president-in-waiting -- gracious towards his opponents, but
envisioning his own future role as leader. In typical
fashion, he brushed off comments with which he did not agree,
and tried to present himself as a reasonable man waiting for
his inevitable victory. His reference to Ruberwa's claims of
electoral fraud in the Kivus struck a false note; this
appeared to be a deliberate, triangulated attack on President
Kabila's overwhelming support in the East.


7. (C) Comment continued: Far from being the innocent focus
in the media of hyped claims of victory from his
over-enthusiastic supporters, Bemba is actually the
orchestrater of the misinformation which has been broadcast
on his personally-owned television stations. Though Bemba
did well in Kinshasa and several provinces, he is selling
snake oil -- and setting up his volatile supporters for a
dangerous disappointment -- by claiming to have won a clear
majority in the first round of voting. End comment.


8. (U) Congressman Payne did not have an opportunity to
clear on this cable.
MEECE