Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA1555
2006-10-10 18:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
HIGH MEDIA AUTHORITY SUSPENDS PRO-KABILA NEWSPAPER
VZCZCXRO4777 RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #1555 2831810 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 101810Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4920 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 001555
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG
SUBJECT: HIGH MEDIA AUTHORITY SUSPENDS PRO-KABILA NEWSPAPER
REF: KINSHASA 1505
Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution.
UNCLAS KINSHASA 001555
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG
SUBJECT: HIGH MEDIA AUTHORITY SUSPENDS PRO-KABILA NEWSPAPER
REF: KINSHASA 1505
Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution.
1. (U) Summary: The High Media Authority suspended the pro-Kabila
daily "L'Avenir" for impugning political adversaries. The HAM also
reduced sanctions against those accused of inflammatory rhetoric
during the official launching of the pro-Bemba political alliance.
End summary.
2. (U) The High Media Authority (HAM) suspended the daily newspaper
"L'Avenir" October 4 for a five-day period for accusing Jose Makila
Sumanda, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works and official of
Jean-Pierre Bemba's Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC),of
embezzling 60 million Congolese francs (USD 120,000) earmarked for
salaries to fund Bemba's campaign. The HAM also reprimanded the
publisher of "L'Avenir" for defamation. The minister rejected the
allegations of embezzlement, noting that 80 million francs (USD
160,000),in fact, had gone missing from the ministry.
3. (U) In another decision, the HAM reduced the media ban, from 30
to 15 days, it had placed on a few journalists and politicians who
had made abusive and inflammatory statements at the launching on
September 23 of Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba's Union for the
Nation (UN) political alliance (reftel).
4. (SBU) Commment: "L'Avenir" is very much the mouthpiece of
pro-Kabila hardliners, and the measure taken against it by the HAM
is further evidence of its independence and seriousness of purpose.
End comment.
DOUGHERTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPAO CG
SUBJECT: HIGH MEDIA AUTHORITY SUSPENDS PRO-KABILA NEWSPAPER
REF: KINSHASA 1505
Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution.
1. (U) Summary: The High Media Authority suspended the pro-Kabila
daily "L'Avenir" for impugning political adversaries. The HAM also
reduced sanctions against those accused of inflammatory rhetoric
during the official launching of the pro-Bemba political alliance.
End summary.
2. (U) The High Media Authority (HAM) suspended the daily newspaper
"L'Avenir" October 4 for a five-day period for accusing Jose Makila
Sumanda, Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works and official of
Jean-Pierre Bemba's Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC),of
embezzling 60 million Congolese francs (USD 120,000) earmarked for
salaries to fund Bemba's campaign. The HAM also reprimanded the
publisher of "L'Avenir" for defamation. The minister rejected the
allegations of embezzlement, noting that 80 million francs (USD
160,000),in fact, had gone missing from the ministry.
3. (U) In another decision, the HAM reduced the media ban, from 30
to 15 days, it had placed on a few journalists and politicians who
had made abusive and inflammatory statements at the launching on
September 23 of Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba's Union for the
Nation (UN) political alliance (reftel).
4. (SBU) Commment: "L'Avenir" is very much the mouthpiece of
pro-Kabila hardliners, and the measure taken against it by the HAM
is further evidence of its independence and seriousness of purpose.
End comment.
DOUGHERTY