BRAZZA IN BRIEF SEPTEMBER 7 2007

UNCLAS BRAZZAVILLE 000368 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/C WYCOFF, K, OSBORNE R E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PGOV PINR EAID PHUM SCUL MARR CF SUBJECT: BRAZZA IN BRIEF SEPTEMBER 7 2007 ¶1. (U) Frederic Bintsamou, also known as Pastor N'Tumi, announced he will arrive in Brazzaville on September 10th to take his appointed position as a Presidential Adviser on promoting peace in the aftermath of the civil war. Ntumi was appointed by President Sassou-Nguesso in May 2007 to appease the demands of the World Bank to promote peace in the RoC. Ntumi has led the Ninjas in the Pool Region of the RoC since 1998 and has an estimated army of 5000 rebels. He travels with a force of 36 heavily-armed guards at all times but press reports are showing his guards packing only mosquito nets and camping equipment. As of September 7, there are reported to be approximately 75 of his Ninjas at a local stadium in Brazzaville awaiting N'Tumi's arrival. Pastor N'Tumi is expected to hold a public meeting on the afternoon of September 11. President Sassou-Nguesso is expected to return to Brazzaville late next week. ¶2. (U) The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Costa Rica, Mr.Bruno Stagno Ucarte, arrived in Brazzaville to meet Basile Ikouebi, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss potential cooperative activities. Mr. Ucarte requested the support of the RoC in their candidacy for a seat on the U.N. Security Council 2008-2009. ¶3. (U) Kimberley Process: Denis Lagace, a Director General of the Canada-Africa Mining Procurement, met with Pierre Oba, Minister of Mines, to discuss the implementation of necessary measures for participation in the Kimberley Process. The RoC lost their membership in 2004 due to the lack of an internal system of control on diamond processing and marketing. When the necessary steps and procedures are in place to the satisfaction of the Kimberley Process delegation, a recommendation to reinstall RoC into the Kimberley Process will be made. ¶4. (U) On September 6, ROC Ministers of Agriculture, Communication and Finance and Midou Ibrahima, Regional Representative of the World Bank, signed an agreement for agricultural and rural road development. The total amount required for the implementation of this project is US$40 million, and the RoC has agreed to contribute US$20 million. ¶5. (U) President of the Congolese National Assembly, Justin Koumba, has been mandated to set up an ad hoc committee of 26 members to examine the internal policies and procedures and financial regulations of the National Assembly. GREGG