Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1472
2006-09-20 15:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

BEMBA,S MEN FAN THE FLAMES IN THE WAKE OF

Tags:  PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHKI #1472 2631513
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201513Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4821
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 001472 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: BEMBA,S MEN FAN THE FLAMES IN THE WAKE OF
SEPTEMBER 18 FIRE

REF: KINSHASA 1470

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001472

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: BEMBA,S MEN FAN THE FLAMES IN THE WAKE OF
SEPTEMBER 18 FIRE

REF: KINSHASA 1470


1. (U) Summary: Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba's political
party issued a strongly-worded statement September 19
charging that the fire that knocked his media outlets off the
air the day before was a "criminal act" designed to prevent
him from conducting campaigning. Bemba's political
alliance, RENACO, issued a similar declaration. Such
provocative statements are at odds with promises to calm the
situation made by Bemba and other members of his party over
the past two days. End summary.


2. (U) The Executive Secretary Thomas Luhaka of VP Bemba,s
Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC) issued a statement
September 19 on behalf of the party denouncing as "a criminal
act" the September 18 fire at the building housing MLC
offices and Bemba,s radio and television stations. The fire
destroyed essential broadcasting equipment of Bemba-owned
CCTV, Canal Kin TV and Radio Liberte off the air and severely
injured CCTV Director General Stephane Kitutu. Luhaka,s
statement blamed unnamed people who do not accept political
debate and freedom of speech for the act, but stated that the
MLC will await the results of an investigation into incident.
The party's patience in the face of such "attacks," the
statement continues, must not be interpreted as an acceptance
of arbitrary regime or solitary exercise of power.


3. (U) The MLC declaration reaffirmed the party's commitment
to participate in a peaceful and responsible election
campaign. It also stated that the MLC would never disturb
public order, but reserves the legitimate right to defend
itself and will fight any obstacle that could impede the
second round of elections.


4. (U) The MLC-affiliated political coalition RENACO (Rally
of Congolese Nationalists) issued a similar statement the
same day signed by its deputy coordinator Charles Bofassa
Djema. The declaration called the September 18 fire a
terrorist act designed to disrupt the electoral process. It
charged that the fire was part of a political strategy to
damage Bemba's political fortunes and to keep him from
campaigning freely.


5. (U) It also deplored persistent insecurity throughout the
country, particularly in Kinshasa, and intimidation of voters
by a "death squad" operating with impunity throughout the
country. It further appealed for an independent inquiry into
the causes of the fire. On Radio Okapi September 19, another
MLC spokesman, Romain Nyimi, carried forth the same line in
an encounter with government spokesman and Minister of
Information Henri Mova Kakanyi, who rejected the MLC charge
and insisted that an investigation be allowed to run its
course.


6. (SBU) Comment: Such provocative and unsubstantiated
charges by senior MLC officials are at odds with what Bemba
himself has told us, and designed to reap political advantage
from the incident. While the statements will keep alive the
issue of perceived imbalance and lack of fairness in the
political campaign, we note too that the Ambassador has been
told that Bemba has already ordered replacement broadcast
equipment. We are continuing to remind both the MLC and the
Kabila camp need that their public statements will have
definite repercussions and must considered accordingly. End
comment.
MEECE