TRIPARTITE PLUS JOINT COMMISSION RELEASES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000629 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KDEM ASEC KPKO CG SUBJECT: TRIPARTITE PLUS JOINT COMMISSION RELEASES COMMUNIQUE ¶1. (U) The four member countries of the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission released a public statement June 7 at 11:00 a.m. at the conclusion of their three-day session in Lubumbashi, DRC. The members reaffirmed their commitment to eliminate the threat posed by negative forces in the region, both by military and political means. They further urged media outlets not to disseminate interviews or other material that gives voice to those promoting violence. Commission members agreed to meet again in three months in Uganda. ¶2. (U) The following is the complete text of the June 7 press release from the Tripartite Plus Joint Commission: QUOTE: The Tripartite Plus Joint Commission and its Sub-Commissions on Defense and Security and on Diplomatic Affairs met in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),June 5-7, 2007. In the meetings, facilitated by the United States of America, the four member states, the Republic of Burundi, the DRC, the Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda: -- Reaffirmed respect for the sovereignty of all member states; -- Received the report of the meeting of the Chiefs of Defense Staff of the Tripartite Plus member countries, enriched its recommendations regarding implementation, and agreed that Chiefs of Defense Staff will meet again in Kigali within two months; -- Made progress towards a common list of individuals who threaten regional security; -- Decided to convene a meeting of their legal experts in Goma within one month to review legal mechanisms and procedures for acting against persons designated as threats to regional peace. The Tripartite Plus member countries reaffirmed their commitment to political and military efforts aimed at eliminating the threat posed by Negative Forces. These political efforts will include among others the denial of negative forces' safehaven, fundraising, movement (including visas),and access to media including the leaders of militias operating in eastern DRC. In this context: -- The Government of Burundi expresses its concerns given the noted delay of the implementation of the Global Ceasefire Agreement with the PALIPEHUTU FNL, and calls on its leader to return to Burundi to complete implementation of the agreement. -- The Government of the DRC reiterates that negative forces are unwelcome in its territory, and urges that they disarm, disengage, and return to their home countries. It encourages the leadership of militias in Ituri and in North and South Kivu to engage in the military integration process. -- The Government of Uganda affirms its continued engagement in the Peace Process in Juba, and calls on the LRA to respect the cessation of hostilities agreement and to assemble at Ri-Kwangba in Sudan. The Government of Uganda continues to encourage the Negative Forces to utilize the existing Amnesty Commission offices. -- The Government of Rwanda reiterates that it welcomes the return of its citizens. Returnees will continue to enjoy the rights and obligations that all other Rwandans enjoy, and Rwanda has put in place incentives for repatriation. The Government of Rwanda noted that it has received and reintegrated thousands of former members of armed groups, including the FDLR, comprised of all ranks up to and including their overall commanders. Member countries urged media outlets and non-governmental organizations to disseminate this information widely, especially to areas where Negative Forces are present. MONUC's Radio Okapi, in particular, should redouble efforts to disseminate programming to encourage Negative Forces to return peacefully to their countries of origin. All media organizations -- domestic, regional, and international -- should avoid broadcasting interviews or other content that gives voice to those promoting violence in the region. The Tripartite Plus Joint Commission members expressed appreciation to their Congolese hosts for their warm welcome and gracious hospitality, and decided again to meet in three months in Uganda. END QUOTE. KINSHASA 00000629 002 OF 002 MEECE