ITURI UPDATE: MONUC CONFIRMS CAPTURED PEACEKEEPERS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000853

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016
TAGS: PGOV MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: MONUC CONFIRMS CAPTURED PEACEKEEPERS
ARE ALIVE

REF: KINSHASA 851

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


1. (C) MONUC sources told PolOff May 30 they have verified
that the seven Nepalese peacekeepers captured during
operations May 28 (reftel) are alive and being held by
militia leader Peter Karim. According to MONUC officials,
MONUC is working with a group of intermediaries in Ituri to
make contact with Karim and his militia to ensure the release
of the peacekeepers. Among these intermediaries are local
community leaders and a demobilized ex-combatant from the
Front for National Integration (FNI) militia, with whom MONUC
has worked before and is deemed "credible and trustworthy" by
MONUC officials. This group has reportedly seen the captured
peacekeepers and has told MONUC the seven are alive and in
good condition.


2. (C) While the militia initially demanded USD 20,000 per
peacekeeper for their release, Karim and his group have now
apparently reduced their demand to USD 7,000 per person. In
response, MONUC has reportedly sent the message back to Karim
that they will not pay any ransom money. In addition, MONUC
demanded the peacekeepers be released immediately, unharmed,
and without conditions. So as to facilitate a release, MONUC
has reduced its operations tempo in the region so as not to
"spook" the militia and make them think MONUC is planning an
imminent attack. MONUC officials said, however, they have
forces on standby to conduct military operations against
Karim and his militia, if necessary. MONUC officials, though,
said they are "cautiously optimistic" the situation can be
resolved peacefully, perhaps as soon as today. MONUC Force
Commander General Patrick Cammaert is currently overseeing
the MONUC response team from Bunia.


3. (C) Additional pressure has been brought on Karim from
members of the Lendu ethnic community in Ituri. According to
MONUC officials, the chief of the Lendu community in Ituri
sent a note to Karim (who is also Lendu) demanding that he
release the captives immediately. The Lendu chief reportedly
told Karim in his letter that the situation will only anger
the international community and bring nothing but problems to
the community.


4. (C) Meanwhile, MONUC military officials continue to
believe the operational security of the mission was
compromised, thereby leading to the capture of the
peacekeepers. According to one MONUC military official,
information gathered from the debriefing of the wounded MONUC
troops indicates the attack was a planned ambush. MONUC
officials say they have no leads as to the source of the
leak, but noted the culprit likely comes from the Congolese
military. Post will continue to monitor the situation.
MEECE