BAN KI-MOON VISITS THE DRC ON FIRST OFFICIAL TRIP

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000105

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM KPKO CG
SUBJECT: BAN KI-MOON VISITS THE DRC ON FIRST OFFICIAL TRIP


1. (U) Summary: Ban Ki-Moon, newly elected Secretary
General of the United Nations, spent two days in the DRC en
route to the African Union Summit. Ban met with President
Kabila, Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga, members of the
parliamentary opposition, and addressed the National
Assembly. Ban and Kabila met at the Kisangani governor's
offices toward the end of Ban's trip. Ban also visited
Brazzaville briefly to meet with the Republic of Congo's
president and current AU chair, Denis Sassou Nguesso. End
summary.


2. (U) Ban Ki-Moon, the new United Nations Secretary General
(UNSG),arrived in the DRC on January 26 for a two-day visit
en route to the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. On his
first official trip as UNSG, Ban highlighted the UN's
interest in Africa and underscored the achievements of MONUC,
the UN's largest peacekeeping operation. He was accompanied
by his wife and by Jean-Marie Guehenno, the Under
Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations.

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Kinshasa
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3. (U) On January 27 in Kinshasa, Ban met with Prime
Minister designate Antoine Gizenga and members of the
parliamentary opposition before addressing a special session
of the National Assembly. He called on members of the
Assembly to "make a contract of good governance" both among
themselves and with the Congolese people, emphasizing that
"reestablishment of the authority of the state, and the
foundation of the rule of law in all countries is necessary
for the consolidation of peace and democracy." Ban
emphasized the need for security sector improvements, good
governance, and the need to have a full role for a democratic
opposition.


4. (U) At a press conference following his address, Ban
underlined "the importance of constructive dialogue between
different ethnic groups," and encouraged the DRC's
"government and political leaders to engage in an inclusive
political process."


5. (U) Ban visited the Kalembe Lembe hospital, the DRC's
first hospital dedicated to treating pediatric HIV/AIDS
cases. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) opened the
HIV/AIDS unit, which is now supported by PEPFAR, UNICEF, and
the World Food Program, among other donor groups. Ban
briefly crossed the Congo River to meet with the Republic of
Congo's president and current AU chair, Denis Sassou Nguesso.



6. (SBU) Later that evening, a somewhat sparsely-attended
government dinner in Ban's honor was held in Kinshasa. In
President Kabila's absence, Foreign Minister Ramazani and
National Assembly President Vital Kamerhe presided.

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Kisangani
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7. (U) Ban and Kabila met January 28 for an hour at the
Kisangani Governor's offices. Ban reaffirmed the UN's
commitment to the DRC through MONUC, the UN's largest
peacekeeping force. He emphasized the need for the DRC to
strengthen its army in order to sustain peace and stability.
Stating "it is necessary to work together to consolidate the
peace and promote development," he called for the Congolese
to address the major challenges facing the country, urging
improved access to healthcare and education, better provision
of potable water and basic services, and general improvements
in infrastructure.


8. (U) Ban visited MONUC's Eastern Division Headquarters,
where he met with peacekeepers and praised their work in the
volatile eastern Congo region. He also laid a wreath at the
memorial for MONUC peacekeepers who died in the line of duty.
He left directly from Kisangani for the AU Summit,
accompanied by SRSG Swing.

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Comment
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9. (SBU) Ban's visit sent a strong and welcome signal of the
UN's commitment to the DRC, to Africa, and to peacekeeping

KINSHASA 00000105 002 OF 002


operations. Clearly, MONUC is being showcased as a DPKO
success story. The one off-note of the visit was the
non-presence in Kinshasa of President Kabila. End comment.
MEECE