Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA701
2006-05-04 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
FINAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE TRANSITION
how-toVZCZCXRO4357 PP RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0701 1241600 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 041600Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3806 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
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000701
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: FINAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE TRANSITION
BEGINS
Classified By: A/DCM MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000701
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: FINAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE TRANSITION
BEGINS
Classified By: A/DCM MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Following weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations and
deal making, the final plenary session of the National
Assembly opened May 3, with Thomas Luhaka presiding as the
new President of the Assembly. (Note: Luhaka was named in
November 2005 by Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba to replace
Olivier Kamitatu, who lost his position when he was removed
from Bemba's MLC party. End Note.) The plenary has only three
agenda items at the moment, two laws on the justice sector
and one on violence against women. Luhaka told PolCouns May 3
that he resisted calls by Vice President Azarias Ruberwa to
include a motion to reopen the electoral law to consider
adding an additional 55 seats to the future National
Assembly, but cautioned that he expects Ruberwa to continue
to press for this point as it is related to his desire to
ensure Banyamulenge representation in the future government.
2. (C) Comment: The months of painstaking negotiations --
including the exchange of large sums of cash -- seem finally
to have paid off. The opening went smoothly, and the anodyne
legislative agenda should likewise proceed fairly easily for
the about six weeks of this final session of the transitional
legislature. Aside from the electoral law question, the only
potential flashpoint is the question of the possible
dismissal of up to 80 Parliamentarians who, like Kamitatu,
have either changed political allegiances voluntarily or been
expelled by their parties, and therefore should technically
not occupy their seats. Part of the political negotiations
leading to the opening of the session, however, addressed
this issue, and only a few pre-selected "sacrifices" are
expected actually to lose their places. End comment.
DOUGHERTY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV KDEM CG
SUBJECT: FINAL NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE TRANSITION
BEGINS
Classified By: A/DCM MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d.
1. (C) Following weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations and
deal making, the final plenary session of the National
Assembly opened May 3, with Thomas Luhaka presiding as the
new President of the Assembly. (Note: Luhaka was named in
November 2005 by Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba to replace
Olivier Kamitatu, who lost his position when he was removed
from Bemba's MLC party. End Note.) The plenary has only three
agenda items at the moment, two laws on the justice sector
and one on violence against women. Luhaka told PolCouns May 3
that he resisted calls by Vice President Azarias Ruberwa to
include a motion to reopen the electoral law to consider
adding an additional 55 seats to the future National
Assembly, but cautioned that he expects Ruberwa to continue
to press for this point as it is related to his desire to
ensure Banyamulenge representation in the future government.
2. (C) Comment: The months of painstaking negotiations --
including the exchange of large sums of cash -- seem finally
to have paid off. The opening went smoothly, and the anodyne
legislative agenda should likewise proceed fairly easily for
the about six weeks of this final session of the transitional
legislature. Aside from the electoral law question, the only
potential flashpoint is the question of the possible
dismissal of up to 80 Parliamentarians who, like Kamitatu,
have either changed political allegiances voluntarily or been
expelled by their parties, and therefore should technically
not occupy their seats. Part of the political negotiations
leading to the opening of the session, however, addressed
this issue, and only a few pre-selected "sacrifices" are
expected actually to lose their places. End comment.
DOUGHERTY