Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KIGALI412
2007-05-03 15:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
RWANDA: TRIPARTITE PLUS DEFENSE CHIEFS MEETING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLGB #0412 1231519 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 031519Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4094 INFO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0052 RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 0865 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1592 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0207 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0857 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0230
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS RW
SUBJECT: RWANDA: TRIPARTITE PLUS DEFENSE CHIEFS MEETING
FOLLOW-UP
REF: STATE 56801
Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000412
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS RW
SUBJECT: RWANDA: TRIPARTITE PLUS DEFENSE CHIEFS MEETING
FOLLOW-UP
REF: STATE 56801
Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D)
1. (SBU) Ambassador met with Ministry of Defense and armed
forces officials on May 2 to discuss the recent chiefs of
defense staff meeting in Bujumbura (Reftel). Ministry
Secretary General Zac Nsenga, Generals Rutatina and
SIPDIS
Musemakweli, RDF Spokesman Rutaremara and Military Prosecutor
Bizimungu attended for the Rwandans. DATT and pol/econ chief
accompanied the Ambassador.
2. (C) The Rwandans described the four action scenarios
reached during the April 18 chiefs meeting as listed in
chronological order, with each successive scenario to be
conducted after the preceding scenario. The Rwandans
described the recent action taken by the FARDC against FDLR
positions in eastern Congo as "consistent" with Scenario One,
but not necessarily based upon it. The Rwandans said that
Scenario Two and Three included cross-border operations, and
were intended to be "choices" of the member states to be
decided upon at the next Tripartite Plus Commission sessions
in Kinshasa. Combined operations could be "bilateral" or
"multilateral," (i.e., involving two or more Tripartite
member states),would be aimed at the leadership of negative
forces, and could be conducted simultaneously in more than
one member state. No discussion occurred regarding the
enlisting of non-member countries such as Angola in
confronting negative forces.
3. (C) Regarding reports of Congolese reticence at the
defense chiefs meeting, the Rwandans said that the DRC
initially sent a relatively low-ranking division commander to
the "experts" meeting that preceded the chiefs of defense
staff discussions. At various stages the DRC Defense Chief,
General Lombe, refused to sign on to more than the first
scenario, and then relented when pressed by his colleagues.
According to the Rwandans, Lombe was ultimately swayed by the
argument that the defense chiefs task was to frame and define
possible strategies for approval by political superiors. The
Rwandans acknowledged that DRC politically "may not accept"
portions of Scenarios Two and Three. (Note: reftel refers to
the lack of a Congolese signature on the defense chiefs
Report, but the copy presented by the Rwandans had the
signatures of all four defense chiefs appended at its end,
and their initials on each preceding page. End note).
ARIETTI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2017
TAGS: PREL PGOV MOPS RW
SUBJECT: RWANDA: TRIPARTITE PLUS DEFENSE CHIEFS MEETING
FOLLOW-UP
REF: STATE 56801
Classified By: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti, reason 1.4 (B/D)
1. (SBU) Ambassador met with Ministry of Defense and armed
forces officials on May 2 to discuss the recent chiefs of
defense staff meeting in Bujumbura (Reftel). Ministry
Secretary General Zac Nsenga, Generals Rutatina and
SIPDIS
Musemakweli, RDF Spokesman Rutaremara and Military Prosecutor
Bizimungu attended for the Rwandans. DATT and pol/econ chief
accompanied the Ambassador.
2. (C) The Rwandans described the four action scenarios
reached during the April 18 chiefs meeting as listed in
chronological order, with each successive scenario to be
conducted after the preceding scenario. The Rwandans
described the recent action taken by the FARDC against FDLR
positions in eastern Congo as "consistent" with Scenario One,
but not necessarily based upon it. The Rwandans said that
Scenario Two and Three included cross-border operations, and
were intended to be "choices" of the member states to be
decided upon at the next Tripartite Plus Commission sessions
in Kinshasa. Combined operations could be "bilateral" or
"multilateral," (i.e., involving two or more Tripartite
member states),would be aimed at the leadership of negative
forces, and could be conducted simultaneously in more than
one member state. No discussion occurred regarding the
enlisting of non-member countries such as Angola in
confronting negative forces.
3. (C) Regarding reports of Congolese reticence at the
defense chiefs meeting, the Rwandans said that the DRC
initially sent a relatively low-ranking division commander to
the "experts" meeting that preceded the chiefs of defense
staff discussions. At various stages the DRC Defense Chief,
General Lombe, refused to sign on to more than the first
scenario, and then relented when pressed by his colleagues.
According to the Rwandans, Lombe was ultimately swayed by the
argument that the defense chiefs task was to frame and define
possible strategies for approval by political superiors. The
Rwandans acknowledged that DRC politically "may not accept"
portions of Scenarios Two and Three. (Note: reftel refers to
the lack of a Congolese signature on the defense chiefs
Report, but the copy presented by the Rwandans had the
signatures of all four defense chiefs appended at its end,
and their initials on each preceding page. End note).
ARIETTI