FDLR DENOUNCES U.S. SANCTIONS DECISION

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001700 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PTER EFIN KPKO CG BE RW SUBJECT: FDLR DENOUNCES U.S. SANCTIONS DECISION ¶1. (U) The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) issued a statement November 1 calling the U.S. decision to impose UN sanctions against the group as "unjust, useless, unjustified and counterproductive." It claimed the group has never been involved in arms trafficking or in undermining regional security. It states the FDLR believes the sanctions will not resolve the crises in the Great Lakes region and calls for an inclusive dialogue to create a permanent solution. ¶2. (U) The following is Embassy Kinshasa's unofficial translation of the statement: In regard to the sanctions imposed by the United Nations and the United States of America on the president of the FDLR, Dr. Ignace Murwanashyaka, claiming that he had violated the arms embargo in the Great Lakes Region, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) categorically rejects these sanctions it judges unjust, useless, unjustified, and counterproductive. The FDLR declares that it is not involved in arms trafficking in the DRC or anywhere else and that it does not threaten the security of any country in the Great Lakes Region. The only ones responsible for threatening security and prosperity of the sub-region are those who have knowingly conceived, organized, financed, supported and maintained the endless wars that ravage the region; who continue their invasions; and who devastate the entire region in looting its riches. These sanctions therefore do not apply to the FDLR and were unjustly taken against its president in whom the FDLR renews its confidence and its unfailing support, and calls upon all who favor peace, justice and friendship between people to reject such sanctions. The FDLR remains convinced that unjust sanctions and the use of force cannot resolve the crisis in the Great Lakes Region. It is only through an honest, constructive and highly inclusive dialogue between the different protagonists that the recurring crises can find a final solution. Signed in Brussels, November 1, 2006 Anastase Munyandekwe Commissioner for Information and Spokesman, FDLR End text. MEECE