DEMARCHE ON REMOVAL OF 14TH BATTALION COMMANDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000373

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/17/2017
TAGS: PREL MASS PHUM RW
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON REMOVAL OF 14TH BATTALION COMMANDER

REF: STATE 36459

Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D)


1. (C) Per reftel dated March 22, the Embassy sent Note 040
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 23, quoted in
part as follows: "The United States requests that the
Government of Rwanda advise it of the name of the replacement
commander of the 14th battalion." In this note the Embassy
referred to an earlier Note from the GOR pledging to replace
14th battalion commander LTC Ruzibiza if asked to do so.


2. (C) Subsequent to this note, Mission made several
approaches to the Rwandans, asking for the name of the
replacement commander. The Rwandans have on several occasions
pledged to convey the name to us. For example, on March 30,
polchief met with Foreign Ministry IO and Americas Director
Ben Rutsinga, who read Note 040 over the telephone to Army
Chief of Staff General Kayonga, obtained his pledge to name a
new commander, and then personally delivered the note to
Kayonga later in the day. As recently as April 16, Acting
DCM spoke with Foreign Ministry Minister of State Rosemary
Museminali, reminding her of the written pledge made by the
GOR, and the responding diplomatic note from the Mission
requesting the naming of a new commander. On all occasions,
GOR personnel have replied that the name will be forthcoming.


3. (C) We continue to press the GOR on the need for the
naming of the new commander, with accompanying biographic
information, to permit completion of the Leahy vetting
requirements. We are mindful of the upcoming May dates for
the airlift of two battalions, including the 14th, to Darfur
by USG-contracted aircraft, and the need for the Leahy
vetting of the new commander prior to the 14th's airlift.


ARIETTI