SITREP 25: KINSHASA REMAINS CALM (8/23 1700)

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001342 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ASEC CASC KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITREP 25: KINSHASA REMAINS CALM (8/23 1700) REF: KINSHASA 1340 AND OTHERS ¶1. (U) As dusk falls in Kinshasa, observers are hopeful that relative calm will hold throughout the night and during the next days while political and military leaders continue working to resolve the conflict in Kinshasa. ¶2. (SBU) Contacts from the embassies of South Africa, Canada and Japan confirmed that their missions were also returning to normal operations. Japanese contacts did state that their employees were leaving at 15:00 local time on Wednesday, but all missions are expected to be open for business as usual on Thursday, August 24. All U.S. Mission operations will be open at the usual time tomorrow. The American School of Kinshasa plans to resume classes as well. ¶3. (SBU) RSO evaluated conditions and conferred with other security contacts, and then authorized Mission personnel to resume use of POVs. Mission personnel and Amcits have been advised to remain at home and indoors during evening hours. ¶4. (SBU) Evidence of the earlier violence continues to surface. RSO confirmed that four bodies, all wearing police uniforms, were found the morning of August 23 at the Supreme Court in Gombe. The policemen had not apparently been shot, and in fact, no shots were reported in that vicinity after dark fell on Tuesday evening. Some contacts reported continued looting but this appeared to be groups of civilians taking advantage of buildings or sites which were damaged during the past few days. No credible reports of troop movements or of renewed conflict have been received. MEECE