KABILA INTERVIEW MARKS BEGINNING OF PUBLIC IMAGE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000620 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM KPKO CG SUBJECT: KABILA INTERVIEW MARKS BEGINNING OF PUBLIC IMAGE CAMPAIGN REF: A. KINSHASA 489 ¶B. KINSHASA 101 ¶1. (U) Summary: In a rare print interview published in the April 9 edition of "Jeune Afrique Intelligent," President Kabila presented himself as the "candidate of the people" and claimed he will win the presidency in the DRC's forthcoming elections. Kabila held forth on a variety of topics, including his campaign for president, the future of the DRC, and the country's current security situation. Kabila also gave an uncommon glimpse -- albeit one tightly controlled -- into his personal life. While breaking little new ground, the interview marks a concerted effort by Kabila to present a fuller image to voters before elections this year. End summary. -------------- KABILA... ON POLITICS -------------- ¶2. (U) Kabila said he is running for president to complete his task of consolidating peace in a unified Congo. He said he believed the Congolese people want him to be their candidate to achieve this goal. Kabila confidently said he is fighting to win the election and that he will win. He added, however, that if he loses, he will be obliged to accept the results, since that is what is required in a democracy. ¶3. (U) Kabila said his campaign will focus on three main themes: peace, stability and security. The President vowed that he will make a maximum effort to visit all parts of the country during his campaign, particularly those regions that he has not yet visited as President, including the province of North Kivu and northern Equateur province. ¶4. (U) Kabila responded to questions regarding his decision to register as an independent candidate (ref A),and not with the political party with which he has been affiliated, the People's Party for Reconstruction and Development (PPRD). Kabila said the PPRD was not the only party wanting to nominate him as their presidential candidate, and he did not want to privilege one party over another by accepting the PPRD's nomination. Nonetheless, Kabila said the PPRD remains his "political family" in a strict sense. Moreover, Kabila proclaimed solidarity with the PPRD by saying that he himself is the "candidate of the people," while the PPRD is the "party of the people." ¶5. (SBU) President Kabila also used the interview to respond to allegations about whether he is truly "Congolese." (Note: Rumors have circulated for years concerning Kabila's origins and parentage. End note.) While not addressing the issue directly, Kabila asserted that there is no one more "Congolese" than he, nor is there anyone more patriotic. -------------- ... ON THE DRC'S FUTURE -------------- ¶6. (U) Asked what the DRC will look like in ten years, Kabila presented an optimistic vision. Kabila said he foresees a powerful, stable DRC, where it will be possible to drive from Kinshasa to Goma and from Lubumbashi to Gbadolite. He further claimed that the average life expectancy would increase from 49 to 55 years. Kabila predicted that the DRC will be tomorrow's "China of Africa." He cautioned, however, that this vision depends entirely upon the outcome and conduct of the upcoming elections. ¶7. (U) With regard to the type of government he would install if elected, Kabila said it will be important not to repeat the experience of "paralysis" which resulted from the "1 4" system of the transitional government. (Note: This system, put in place by the Sun City Accords, installed Kabila as President with four vice presidents from the ranks of the major ex-belligerents and civil society. End note.) Kabila said that, instead, it would be necessary to bring together different political sensibilities, following a clear political program, to affect change. -------------- ... ON SECURITY -------------- ¶8. (U) Kabila addressed the security situation in the DRC, KINSHASA 00000620 002 OF 002 particularly in the eastern part of the country. Kabila readily admitted that problems still exist, notably in Ituri with local militias and the Lord's Resistance Army, and in the Kivus with elements of the ex-FAR. Kabila said, however, that the GDRC is determined to eradicate those threats. ¶9. (SBU) Kabila pledged that the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) will have formed 18 integrated brigades by June 30. (Note: The formation of the integrated brigades is well behind schedule, with only nine of the proposed 18 having been formed, making it extremely unlikely the remaining brigades will be operational before June 30. End note.) Kabila admitted that the FARDC could be doing much better in its training and operations, referring specifically to the disintegration of the 5th integrated brigade (ref B). Kabila said the FARDC is hard pressed to provide a sufficient number of troops throughout the east to properly address security concerns. -------------- ... ON HIS "PRIVATE" SIDE -------------- ¶10. (U) Kabila answered questions about his private life, about which he is usually very guarded. Asked about his religious beliefs, Kabila refused to say if he belonged to an organized church, but acknowledged he is Christian and believes in God. Kabila said he reads the Bible and prays often. In his role as President, Kabila said he awakes at 5:00 a.m. every morning and spends his days receiving visitors, attending meetings and examining portfolios. On the weekends, Kabila said he spends his time relaxing by surfing the internet, playing sports and listening to music. He said he enjoys taking a "calculated risk" in riding his motocross bike near his residence outside Kinshasa. Among his heroes, Kabila said he particularly admires Che Guevara, whom he considers an "ideal revolutionary." ¶11. (U) The interviewer touched upon the delicate topic of Kabila's out-of-wedlock child (which he has never officially admitted is his) and whether he had plans to marry the mother. Kabila did not directly address the question, but rather said he was more concerned with running the country and had subsequently forgotten his own personal life and obligations. Kabila added, though, that the time has come to fulfill "certain obligations." -------------- COMMENT: LET THE CAMPAIGN BEGIN -------------- ¶12. (SBU) Kabila's interview is notable for two reasons. First, Kabila rarely grants interviews that allow the public a glimpse of his private life. Second, a repeated criticism of Kabila by his political adversaries is that he is too young and inexperienced. While Kabila's comments contained little new information about his positions, they provided an opportunity for him to project the image of a competent leader ready to lead his country. DOUGHERTY