Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA431
2006-03-14 14:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
INTERIOR MINISTER MBEMBA: NO MINEMBWE TERRITORY
how-toVZCZCXRO8192 PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0431 0731426 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 141426Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3404 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 000431
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CG
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER MBEMBA: NO MINEMBWE TERRITORY
REF: A. KINSHASA 358
B. KINSHASA 383
C. KINSHASA 424
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000431
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CG
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER MBEMBA: NO MINEMBWE TERRITORY
REF: A. KINSHASA 358
B. KINSHASA 383
C. KINSHASA 424
1. (SBU) In a March 9 press conference, DRC Interior Minister
Theophile Mbemba claimed there were administrative reasons
why Minembwe could not be an authorized territory, as has
been advocated by RCD chief and Vice President Azerias
Ruberwa (reftels). First, according to Mbemba, it is the
President's prerogative to create territorial entities, not
the chief of department (RCD) in control of the territory at
the time. Second, the decree creating the territory took
place on December 18, 2002, one day after the signing of the
Global Accord. Third, the inhabitants of the territories
from which Minembwe would be created have contested it.
Mbemba suggested that the new National Assembly, once
elected, would be the appropriate body to review the issue.
2. (SBU) Comment: Mbemba called his press conference to
advance the PPRD position on Minembwe. His repeated
characterization of the decision as administrative, not
political, cast the PPRD as "simple technicians" (a moniker
Mbemba used) just following the rules. His arguments were
rather beside the point ( a territory could have been created
by "technicians", and the majority of residents in Minembwe
would not contest a decision to create a territory .) End
comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CG
SUBJECT: INTERIOR MINISTER MBEMBA: NO MINEMBWE TERRITORY
REF: A. KINSHASA 358
B. KINSHASA 383
C. KINSHASA 424
1. (SBU) In a March 9 press conference, DRC Interior Minister
Theophile Mbemba claimed there were administrative reasons
why Minembwe could not be an authorized territory, as has
been advocated by RCD chief and Vice President Azerias
Ruberwa (reftels). First, according to Mbemba, it is the
President's prerogative to create territorial entities, not
the chief of department (RCD) in control of the territory at
the time. Second, the decree creating the territory took
place on December 18, 2002, one day after the signing of the
Global Accord. Third, the inhabitants of the territories
from which Minembwe would be created have contested it.
Mbemba suggested that the new National Assembly, once
elected, would be the appropriate body to review the issue.
2. (SBU) Comment: Mbemba called his press conference to
advance the PPRD position on Minembwe. His repeated
characterization of the decision as administrative, not
political, cast the PPRD as "simple technicians" (a moniker
Mbemba used) just following the rules. His arguments were
rather beside the point ( a territory could have been created
by "technicians", and the majority of residents in Minembwe
would not contest a decision to create a territory .) End
comment.
MEECE