NORTHERN UGANDA: LRA LEADER JOSEPH KONY AGREES TO RESUME

UNCLAS KAMPALA 000448

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREF PREL MOPS UG SU
SUBJECT: NORTHERN UGANDA: LRA LEADER JOSEPH KONY AGREES TO RESUME
TALKS


1. Summary: Minister of Internal Affairs Ruhakana Rugunda described
the discussions between Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph
Kony and United Nations Special Envoy for LRA-Affected Areas Joaquim
Chissano on March 11 as "positive and constructive." Rugunda said
that he anticipated another meeting between Kony, the GOU, and
Government of South Sudan within two weeks to work through the LRA's
concerns about the Juba venue. Rugunda stated that the LRA did not
demand a change in venue, but that its complaints about the
mediation secretariat were technical and administrative in nature
and could be remedied. The date for the resumption of formal talks
at Juba would be determined after the meeting in two weeks. End
Summary.


2. The Government of Uganda's lead negotiator, Ruhakana Rugunda,
was pleased with the meeting between United Nations Special Envoy
for the LRA-Affected Areas Joaquim Chissano and LRA leaders on March

11. The meeting focused on the resumption of the talks. The LRA
delegation presented 18 demands, most focused on the Government of
South Sudan (GOSS) mediation. Rugunda and the other stakeholders
present, including representatives of the Acholi Parliamentary
Group, elected and appointed local officials from Acholiland, the
Parliamentary opposition leader, and religious and traditional
leaders were assured that the LRA would resume the negotiations.
Chissano also brought with him a representative of the Government of
Democratic Republic of Congo, Ambassador Kapanga, Mozambique's
Minister for Presidential Affairs Francisco Madeira, and South
African General Gilbert Romano, representing President Mbeki, to
impress upon Kony the interest of other countries in the resolution
of the conflict.


3. The LRA side was led by Kony, Vincent Otti, and fellow
International Criminal Court-indictee Dominic Ongwen, and included
other key military commanders, such as Ceasar Acellum, who had
recently crossed the Nile River. The LRA's Juba delegation also
participated. The LRA's demands focused on their security,
accommodations, per diem, and treatment at Juba. Gulu District
Chairman Mao told us he was surprised that the LRA had only one
demand that pertained to Uganda, the withdrawal of the Ugandan
military from southern Sudan and replacement with 1,000 UN
peacekeepers.


4. According to Rugunda, the LRA agreed to resume the talks after
their concerns are hammered out at another preliminary meeting. The
talks would likely resume at Juba, as the GOSS mediation team is
being beefed up with observers from Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania,
South Africa, and the DRC. The LRA's other administrative concerns
were focused on improving the Juba venue. The GOU would respond to
the LRA's demands after receiving them in writing. In the meantime,
Rugunda said he would maintain telephone contact with Kony and
Otti.


5. Comment: The GOU praised Chissano for his efforts to get the
talks back on track, which included shuttle diplomacy between
Khartoum, Juba, Garamba National Park, and Kampala. The meeting was
significant because it was the first time a minister of Rugunda's
stature met face-to-face with Kony. Those present said the
highlight was a handshake between Rugunda and Kony. Rugunda said
the gesture reaffirmed his confidence that a peace deal could be
attained.
BROWNING