MIXED COMMISSION BEGINS WORK ON INVESTIGATING

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001378 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG ELECTIONS SUBJECT: MIXED COMMISSION BEGINS WORK ON INVESTIGATING KINSHASA VIOLENCE REF: A. KINSHASA 1357 ¶B. KINSHASA 1355 ¶1. (U) The first session of the newly established Mixed Commission -- bringing together representatives of President Kabila and Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba -- was held August 29 at MONUC headquarters. As reported reftels, the goals of the Commission are to facilitate a dialogue between the Kabila and Bemba camps and to investigate the causes and events of the August 20-22 violence in Kinshasa. The PPRD delegates at the meeting included presidential security adviser Samba Kaputo, military adviser General Denis Kalume, and counselor Marcellin Cisambo. Representing the MLC were Minister of Budget and MLC Secretary General Francois Mwamba, National Assembly President Thomas Luhaka, and Minister of Plan Delly Sesanga. ¶2. (U) According to a communique released by MONUC, the meeting between the two sides took place in a "constructive climate." The first order of business for the Commission was to establish terms of reference for the Commission itself. In addition, the delegates decided to create two subcommittees. The first will launch an independent investigation to establish the facts surrounding the August 20-22 events in Kinshasa. The second subcommittee will define the rules of conduct for both parties to follow during the campaign leading up to the second round run-off election October 29. The subcommittees, whose members had not yet been determined, began their work August 30. ¶3. (U) The MONUC communique stated that both sides promised full collaboration with the investigation, pledging as well to remain engaged in the electoral process. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: The creation of the Mixed Commission is another step intended to help defuse the tensions following the recent violence in Kinshasa. While it is doubtful any responsibility will be assigned at least in the near term for the August 20-22 events, the Commission at the very least forces senior representatives of Kabila and Bemba to meet together. Kabila and Bemba themselves need to meet face-to-face, however -- something the CIAT, MONUC, the Eminent Persons Committee, and others are pressing both to do as soon as possible. End comment. MEECE