Media reaction to the November 9 Nairobi Communique between

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001274 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOVPREL KPKO PINR PINS CG RW SUBJECT: Media reaction to the November 9 Nairobi Communique between the DRC and Rwanda on Negative Forces ¶1. (U) Media reaction to the Nairobi agreement has been generally favorable, albeit not very substantive. Following are reactions from major outlets: -- Le Palmares writes that the DRC has hung itself by signing the plan because the deadline to submit an elaborate disarmament plan is too short, while the DRC army is still rebuilding itself. -- Le Phare notes that Murigande was happy with the signing because the DRC committed itself to fighting the ex-FAR, a diplomatic failure for DRC. The paper adds that too heavy a load has been placed on the DRC and that fighting may take place between the FDLR and Nkunda's troops. -- La Reference Plus quotes signatories such as DRC Foreign Minister Mbusa and UN negotiator Menkerios. Mbusa thought the agreement opened the way for a permanent and peaceful solution to the crisis of the Great Lakes region in general and in DRC in particular. Menkerios deemed that Rwanda and DRC had shown their firm willingness to take up their own destinies. -- L'Avenir writes that Nkunda is a mere lemon that President Kagame is now throwing away after squeezing it, and that Nkunda has been reduced to the status of a bargaining counter. -- Le Potentiel assumes that both the DRC and Rwanda are now drawing close to the outcome of the FDLR-Nkunda episode, at least with regard to the latest compromise signed in Nairobi. The paper's analysis ends by noting that signing the communique is one thing, but implementing it is another story. Brock