Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA965
2006-06-19 11:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS
VZCZCXRO3285 PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0965 1701140 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 191140Z JUN 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4149 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 000965
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS
REF: KINSHASA 790
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000965
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS
REF: KINSHASA 790
1. (U) President Kabila June 16 wed his long-time partner
Olive Lembe in a civil ceremony at his official residence in
Kinshasa. The civil ceremony was followed June 17 by a
religious marriage, presided over by Catholic Cardinal
Frederic Etsou and Protestant Monsignor Pierre Marini (who is
also President of the transitional Senate). The two events,
televised nationally, were attended by the families of both
Kabila and Lembe, government officials, heads of diplomatic
missions, and other VIPs.
2. (U) Notably absent from the proceedings was Vice President
Jean-Pierre Bemba, who is opposing Kabila in the July 30
presidential election. Bemba was traveling in eastern DRC.
The DRC's three other vice presidents, however, did attend
the ceremonies.
3. (SBU) Comment: Kabila's wedding, taking place shortly
before the official start of the presidential campaign June
29, is a decidedly political move. The marriage will lend the
President a certain gravitas, and he will be a stronger
candidate as a married man than he would have been single.
End comment.
MEECE
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR KDEM CG ELECTIONS
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT KABILA WEDS
REF: KINSHASA 790
1. (U) President Kabila June 16 wed his long-time partner
Olive Lembe in a civil ceremony at his official residence in
Kinshasa. The civil ceremony was followed June 17 by a
religious marriage, presided over by Catholic Cardinal
Frederic Etsou and Protestant Monsignor Pierre Marini (who is
also President of the transitional Senate). The two events,
televised nationally, were attended by the families of both
Kabila and Lembe, government officials, heads of diplomatic
missions, and other VIPs.
2. (U) Notably absent from the proceedings was Vice President
Jean-Pierre Bemba, who is opposing Kabila in the July 30
presidential election. Bemba was traveling in eastern DRC.
The DRC's three other vice presidents, however, did attend
the ceremonies.
3. (SBU) Comment: Kabila's wedding, taking place shortly
before the official start of the presidential campaign June
29, is a decidedly political move. The marriage will lend the
President a certain gravitas, and he will be a stronger
candidate as a married man than he would have been single.
End comment.
MEECE