ITURI UPDATE: GDRC HAS FIRST MEETING WITH FRPI

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001769

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL CG UG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: GDRC HAS FIRST MEETING WITH FRPI
MILITIA REPRESENTATIVES

REF: A. KINSHASA 1767


B. KINSHASA 1768

Classified By: PolOff CBrown, reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) A GDRC delegation charged with negotiations with Ituri
District militia groups and led by Vice Minister of Defense
Yves Mena held its first official meeting with the Front for
Patriotic Resistance in Ituri (FRPI) November 18. FRPI leader
Cobra Matata was not present, but was represented by the
militia's president Emile Mohito and adviser "Pascal." The
delegations met in Aveba, approximately 30 miles south of
Bunia, following a series of meetings with other Ituri
militias November 16 and 17 (refs A and B).


2. (C) The two sides agreed upon a set of principles for
further contact, with the ultimate goal of disarming the FRPI:

-- Integration into the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC),with
the possibility of demobilization for those who are not
eligible for integration. The process is to be completed by
December 31;

-- All arms will be surrendered and controlled by the FARDC;

-- All children in the FRPI must be released and allowed to
be registered and supervised by child protection
organizations which will have access to the assembly sites;

-- All organizations of the GDRC, MONUC and all humanitarian
groups are granted free movement in territory under the
influence of the FRPI and Cobra Matata's forces;

-- All FRPI harassment of the local population, police
officers and members of the local administration will cease
immediately.

-- Two liaison officers from the FRPI will be assigned
immediately to ensure further contact between the group and
the FARDC Ituri Operations Commander, who will facilitate
everything necessary for the free movement of these
officers.


3. (C) MONUC military chief of staff General Christian
Houdet, who observed the November 18 meeting, said the GDRC
delegation gave Mohito and Pascal until November 24 to secure
Matata's acceptance of the agreement.


4. (C) Comment: This first meeting with the FRPI is a
positive step, but no formal surrender can be achieved
without the personal consent and participation of Matata.
There was no mention in this initial statement regarding
amnesty, but it will likely become a sticking point for the
FRPI much as it continues to be for other Ituri militias. End
comment.
MEECE