KIVU DEMARCHE DELIVERED IN KINSHASA

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001040 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/30/2017 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR KDEM CG RW UG SUBJECT: KIVU DEMARCHE DELIVERED IN KINSHASA REF: A. KINSHASA 949 ¶B. KINSHASA 1032 ¶C. KINSHASA 882 ¶1. (C) Summary. Congolese Foreign Minister Mbusa Nyamwisi is generally receptive to U.S. views on the current situation in the Kivu provinces. He has been active in promoting diplomatic engagement with Uganda and Rwanda, and confirmed high-level meetings with each for September. He appreciates U.S. involvement, and has invited a U.S. observer to attend his September 3-4 meetings with Rwandan Foreign Minister Murigande. He expressed hope that the October SSR Contact Group roundtable will result in a plan, timetable and resources to reform the Congolese military. He confirmed that a Kivu inter-community roundtable would be held next month. He is one of the more forward-leaning members of the government on the problems of the east, but his influence on Kabila's thinking is open to question. End summary. ¶2. (C) Charge delivered Kivu demarche to Minister of State for External Relations and International Cooperation Mbusa Nyamwisi during an August 29 introductory call. Mbusa was generally receptive to U.S. views; discussion was cordial and animated. Mbusa's comments indicated the demarche points reflect many of his own positions, but he was clear in noting the weakness of the Congolese military in taking needed actions. Mbusa's diplomatic counselor, Great Lakes adviser and protocol chief sat in, as did PolCouns. ¶3. (C) Charge conveyed U.S. support for the sovereign authority of the Congolese government and Washington's interest in assisting its efforts to extend it throughout its territory. Mbusa expressed appreciation, noting in particular other U.S. support at such venues as the General Assembly, Security Council and Tripartite Plus Commission. He extended special thanks to DAS Jim Swan. ¶4. (C) Charge emphasized U.S. interest in helping Congo resolve problems posed by negative forces in the east. He underscored the importance of avoiding any collaboration with the FDLR, and highlighted upcoming high-level meetings by Congo with Uganda and Rwanda. Mbusa noted he had reached agreement in Kampala on a summit between Kabila and Museveni September 7 in Arusha, to be preceded by a ministerial. Calling it a solution "a l'angolaise," he expressed confidence the two governments were on the way to finalizing arrangements to resolve differences on border demarcation and sharing of natural resources (ref A),including elements similar to those agreed to in late July with Angola (ref B). He also asked for U.S. assistance to attract American investment in Congolese resources. ¶5. (C) Mbusa also confirmed the September 3-4 visit of Rwandan Foreign Minister Charles Murigande to Kinshasa. He said FDLR will be one of most important points on their agenda. Other items: legalizing cross-border trade, opening of consulates in four border cities. He estimated there are currently around 6000 FDLR fighters, who, as do Mai-Mai militias, continue to prey on civilians. He said the two ministers will issue a joint declaration following the meeting. ¶6. (C) Mbusa noted that composition of the delegations had not been determined. He expressed interest in having the U.S. act as facilitator of the meeting, similar to the role played by the USG in meetings of the Tripartite Plus Commission. It soon became clear he meant in fact to raise the issue of the U.S. acting, along with others such as MONUC, the EU and South Africa, as official observers. He said both he and Murigande were in accord on this. (Note: Embassy received an official invitation August 31. Charge will participate as U.S. representative. End note.) ¶7. (C) Charge raised the importance of military reform, highlighting the SSR Contact Group roundtable planed for October in Kinshasa. Mbusa expressed hope that the roundtable would flesh out a plan, timetable and roles. "We don't have the means to put things in order," he lamented, "we need help." He expressed frustration about the government being asked to take actions it does not have the means to take. ¶8. (C) Charge asked for an update on plans for a Kivu inter-community conference. Mbusa said it had been authorized by the High Defense Council August 25, but had no further details. He said rivalries between Goma and Bukavu could mean holding it in a neutral site such as Kisangani. KINSHASA 00001040 002 OF 002 (Note: One Kinshasa news report indicated Kabila has asked Interior Minister General Denis Kalume to organize the conference. SRSG Swing told P3 2 ambassadors August 30 that MONUC is continuing to push for a site somewhere in the Kivu provinces. End note.) ¶9. (C) Charge expressed hope for Congolese diplomatic rapprochement with Uganda and with Rwanda. Mbusa noted that this would be more difficult with Rwanda, but his comments indicated he clearly wants this to happen, among other reasons because it would facilitate resolution of other bilateral issues. He said the two governments currently communicate through MONUC. He said initial steps toward full diplomatic relations would focus on building consular relations in border provinces (ref C). He said North Kivu Governor Juliem Paluku -- a political protg -- would be meeting with his Rwandan provincial counterpart in the near future. He noted that Kinshasa would host the 11 heads of state of the Great Lakes Conference next year, including Kagame, implying the possibility of direct discussions between him and Kabila at that time. ¶10. (C) Charge also noted the planned September 10-14 visit to AF Senior Adviser Tim Shortley o Kinshasa in advance of the Tripartite Plus Commission in Kampala. Mbusa responded positively to the suggestion of a meeting with Shortley. He expressed hope for a continued role for the international community in mediating differences with Rwanda. ¶11. (C) Comment. Mbusa, a Nande from North Kivu, is one of the more forward-leaning members of the government in his approach the problems of the east. However, his longstanding ties with Uganda in particular, dating to before the civil war, have created lasting suspicions among Kabila's inner circle as to his motives and objectives. He is playing an increasingly prominent tactical diplomatic role, but his influence on Kabila's strategic thinking is open to question. End comment. BROCK