BRAZZAVILLE/CONGO: "WALK IN THE WOODS" WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000658 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/C MADEEHA ASHRAF, JANE GAFFNEY INR/AA JENNIFER PEKKINEN, JOHN BERNTSEN PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS GREG D'ELIA, ROBERT KANEDA E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/13/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PINS CF SUBJECT: BRAZZAVILLE/CONGO: "WALK IN THE WOODS" WITH PASTEUR NTUMI REF: A. BRAZZAVILLE 000260 ¶B. BRAZZAVILLE 000180 ¶C. BRAZZAVILLE 000124 ¶D. BRAZZAVILLE 000079 Classified By: DCM Mark J. Biedlingmaier, Reasons 1.4(b)(d) ¶1. (U) DCM represented Embassy Brazzaville at the June 8 closing ceremony for the two-day "concertation" which took place in the former ex-Ninja rebel stronghold of Kinkala in the heart of the Pool region. Unlike the high-profile, security-charged environment witnessed the preceding day by the Ambassador (reported reftel A) - with the presence of Prime Minister Isidore Mvouba, representing the host-government, and Frederic Bintsamou (Pasteur Ntumi), representing his newly-chartered political party, the "National Council of Republicans," or CNR - the June 8 event progressed peacefully in a spirit of a general reconciliation and healing for all citizens and tribes of the Congo. Bishop Louis Portella-Mbuya, prelate of Kinkala and president of the Episcopal Conference of Congo, led an emotional, four-hour ecumenical service with the participation of his counterparts from the Evangelical Church of Congo, the Salvation Army, Kimbangist cult, and "les sages" (the wise men or "elders") of the Lari, Sundi and Teke tribes indigenous to the Pool. ¶2. (U) A symbolic cleansing of the nation, its people, of both past and present generations, mothers and children, fathers and forefathers of the Congo tribes was performed to absolve sins and atrocities committed during the civil war period. The elder representing Congo's Teke King then "rebaptized" the village of Kinkala and distributed kola nuts, a token of peace and healing, to members of the diplomatic corps and the assembly. In remarks translated from the Lari language, he exhorted the gathering to go forth and "plant new grain throughout the country to enjoy a harvest of peace" in the years ahead, to put aside tribal differences and to accept the blessings and pardon of this day's events. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the diplomatic corps and other guests were invited to a cocktail reception and luncheon co-hosted by the Prefet of Kinkala and the Archbishop of Brazzaville, Msgr. Anatole Malandou. ¶3. (C) Upon exiting the prefecture conference hall, the DCM was discretely approached by CNR National Secretary, Joseph Mbizi, and unexpectedly, asked to accompany him to a private meeting with Pasteur Ntumi on the outskirts of Kinkala. For the past year, Mbizi has served as liaison between Ntumi's CNR party staff members and the Brazzaville "Ambassadors' Roundtable," comprised of representatives of the French, U.S., Belgian, Italian and South African embassies, the European Union, UNDP and the Apostolic Nunicature. This collective has provided guidance, through frequent contacts with Bishop Portella, to both CNR and the Prime Minister's office, on a viable framework to resolve the longstanding Pool crisis, in particular, the re-integration and disarming of ex-rebel combatants and on the economic revitalization and social development of this depressed region. ¶4. (C) The DCM and BBC correspondent, John James, who by coincidence had asked to carpool with embassy staff to the concertation, were driven to an isolated valley approximately 10 miles from Kinkala, asked to park their vehicle, and walk five minutes to a verdant field of orchard trees and sagebrush to the meeting site. Ntumi received his visitors in a small clearing set with three chairs and in the presence of only ONE armed guard. A handful of advisors sat within a comfortable listening distance to the group, while 3-4 guards remained posted at the entrance of the clearing to guard the vehicles and monitor traffic on a nearby access road. After initial pleasantries and introductions, the DCM engaged Ntumi in an hour-long conversation, touching on topics ranging from the recently-completed concertation process, his relations with former Prime Minister Bernard Kolelas, ex-President Pascal Lissouba (currently in exile in Paris),and his adversary during the civil war, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. For his part, Ntumi introduced into the dialogue, prospects for re-integration of the ex-Ninjas into the community, economic and social development in the Pool, his views on the upcoming legislative elections, and the perceived role of the diplomatic and international community to sustain peace in the Republic of Congo. ¶5. (C) Surprisingly, Ntumi posed no objection to Mr. James' request to tape the conversation, and instead claimed that this would be a welcome opportunity "to have the truth about Frederic Bintsamou and the CNR broadcast to the world." In a light-hearted moment, the three men shared a laugh when James noted that his BBC predecessor twice-removed, Mr. Francois Bikindou, who also interviewed Pasteur Ntumi in 2002, was expelled from the Congo days after publishing a news report deemed critical of President Sassou-Nguesso, the PCT party and the dubious business dealings of the president's immediate family. Ntumi quipped that there are inherent dangers in each of our professions, then added, "we must do whatever is necessary to accomplish the task." ¶6. (C) Asked whether or not he thought the concertation process had been a success, Ntumi made the following observerations: The concertation, not a CNR initiative, had been "imposed" on him by the mediators (Bishop Portella) and the host government (Prime Minister Ivouba),and it did not fully represent the will nor address the true needs of the people in the Pool region. He felt the process had been somewhat manipulated by the premature announcement of his appointment as a "special delegate of the President for humanitarian affairs for those affected by the civil war," a position which had been ill-defined from the onset of negotiations and did not spell out in proper legal fashion the privileges, immunities and entitlements normally accorded to ministers or envoys of this rank. Ntumi stated that he would require sufficient "guarantees" for his personal security from President Sassou-Nguesso before returning to Brazzaville to assume any position, noting that in many camps he is still viewed as a belligerent, guerilla leader who Sassou considers as a prime adversary. He then asked rhetorically, if the host government had considered him an equal partner in the peace process, why was he required to borrow a truck to use as transportation to the June 7 concertation in Kinkala, while the Prime Minister and other government officials arrived by helicopter, elaborate motorcades and with rings of security? Should he not have been accorded similar privileges? Asked by Mr. James whether he would be prepared to take his seat in Parliament if elected as a delegate in the June 24 election, Ntumi reiterated that he would be unable to do so until appropriate measures to ensure his personal security had been addressed and support by the international and diplomatic community provided to preclude "any unfortunate accident" which might befall him. In a rather sentimental tone, Ntumi noted that he had not visited Brazzaville in over ten years, and although his residence and other possessions had been destroyed during the civil war, he would welcome the chance to restart his life there "in a new light." ¶7. (C) Ntumi expressed strong interest in U.S. engagement internationally in the fields of disarmament, anti-narcotics trafficking, economic development and globalization. He stated that, after having conducted detailed personal research and analysis, he believed that English-language skills and access to information technology were essential to sustain economic growth in the Pool region and would be a staircase to success for young, disadvantaged youth (and ex-combatants) eager to re-integrate into society after years of turmoil. He offered the philosophical view that a man could only succeed once he took on responsibility, built a home to serve as his foundation and that of his family, and became a productive member of society rather than wonder aimlessly as a vagabond. This path toward responsibility, he believed, would lessen anxiety and allow many in the region to return to a normal life and eventually preserve their dignity which had been stripped during the last generation. At present, Ntumi stated, there was no educational plan for the Pool, only limited medical care and social services (note: UNDP estimates of 2-3 trained physicians to cover a population of 250,000 inhabitants),and sparse commercial activity or employment opportunities. Ntumi said that former President Pascal Lissouba had encouraged strong ties with the United States in the 1990s, and Ntumi, a young student at the time, had visions of studying English and attending a U.S. university to master international law, political science or psychology/sociology - and would welcome this opportunity even today. ¶8. (C) Ntumi stated that he appreciated the example set by the United States as a "society of laws," and in the face of revolt, as that experienced in Republic of Congo during the civil war, society had collapsed and was unable to sustain its institutions, internal security or adherence to democratic principles. He blamed President Sassou-Nguesso for embarking on a campaign of terror against his own people with the support of Angolan-provided helicopters and heavy weaponry to track down and kill opponents to his regime. In this context, Ntumi viewed himself, and his ex-Ninja soldiers, more as defenders or freedom fighters, rather than rebels or a guerilla movement. He asked why the diplomatic community, especially the French, had not exposed these atrocities of war in 1997 and held Sassou-Nguesso accountable for his actions before a world tribunal or international court of justice? Ntumi felt that the French, and other countries (unnamed),were therefore complicit in this tragic period of Congolese history; however, he was optimistic that a viable peace process could "reset the clock to ground zero" and heralded his action to sign a cease fire accord a step in the right direction. Mr. James asked whether Ntumi intended to boycott the June 24 electoral process, or, if he planned to stand for election as a delegate. Ntumi replied that, after carefully consideration, CNR would support the elections as yet another sign of his commitment to the host government to keep the peace process moving forward. He predicted that, if the elections went poorly, this would not bode well for President Sassou-Nguesso or for the Republic of Congo. He called on the president to issue a full and open declaration on activities of the National Electoral Commission and address concerns that a credible national census take place prior to the 2009 campaign to accurately reflect voter rolls in the north and south of the country. Ntumi stated that, at present, those from the north were extremely satisfied with the current political situation, as they claim to be in the majority nationwide and are heavily represented throughout the government. He queried Sassou-Nguesso's intentions to have PCT party members posted as prefets in the Pool and Bouenza regions, backed-up by a heavily-armed military presence, when these individuals did not actually represent the will or the interests of the indigenous people. Ideally, Ntumi believed that the nation should be ruled by a "unity government" through 2009 reflecting no north/south biases and with no economic chokehold by any ONE individual, family or controlling group (note: a clear reference to the maze of businesses backed by President Sassou, his wife and children). DCM mentioned the U.S. Ambassador's interest to promote an open solicitation for bids to rehabilitate the rail link between Pointe Noire and Brazzaville and to replace Congo's ageing fleet of locomotives -- an initiative wholly endorsed by Ntumi which he said would provide both employment and commercial opportunities for residents in the Pool, especially disenfranchised youth. ¶9. (C) Ntumi opined that African leaders did not have a track record for good governance or transparency, and tended to remain in office well beyond their legal mandates. He stated that, if Sassou-Nguesso did not handle the legislative elections properly, there would be no other option for him but to resign his office, as few would have confidence that the 2009 campaign would be managed in a transparent, democratic fashion. (Note: This viewpoint tracks with many other opposition figures in Brazzaville who have approached the embassy in recent weeks to call for either a boycott of the elections or for Sassou-Nguesso's resignation. Although none predict unrest during the summer legislative elections, many believe that it will be a watershed event to determine if Sassou-Nguesso and the PCT have taken democratic reform and international pressure to heart.) DCM noted that the U.S. Embassy and other partners had hoped to receive sponsorship to plan a Sarkozy/Royal-style campaign debate, monitored by IFES / National Democratic Institute, prior to the anticipated second round of elections on July 22. Ntumi warmly embraced the concept as a healthy step for democracy in the Congo, and although not committing to a personal appearance, noted that the CNR would be well represented. ¶10. (C) On June 11, the Ambassadors' Roundtable met at the Apostolic Nunciature in Brazzaville to review the past week's events prior to the late evening departure of Bishop Portella for a three-week conference in Rome. For those not present at the June 7-8 ceremonies, Portella offered detailed commentary of the last-minute, behind-the-scenes negotiations (protocol, security and logistics) which took place to secure final agreement by the Prime Minister and Pasteur Ntumi to participate in the Kinkala events. During the open discussion which ensued, the EU and French ambassadors and the Papal Nuncio downplayed the significance of Ntumi and the CNR as major players in the current political chessgame within the Congo, or even as a credible challenge to Sassou-Nguesso's authority. The South African DCM, Italian and Belgium ambassadors were not convinced that Ntumi could be written-off so easily, given his remarkably cogent assessment of the political situation in Brazzaville after his years of self-imposed isolation and absence of personal engagement with the international and diplomatic communities since 1997. Ironically, it now appeared as though a dividing line had been drawn between the roundtable participants as to whether Frederic Bintsamou or Denis Sassou-Nguesso had a better, more realistic grasp of reality and a true sense of the will of the Congolese people. MEECE