KABILA SPEAKS OUT ON BEMBA, MONUC IN "JEUNE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000740 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPKO KDEM PINR CG SUBJECT: KABILA SPEAKS OUT ON BEMBA, MONUC IN "JEUNE AFRIQUE" INTERVIEW ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In an interview published in the latest edition of the weekly "Jeune Afrique," President Joseph Kabila said he wanted "justice to take its course" concerning Jean-Pierre Bemba. Kabila claimed Bemba tried to "physically eliminate" him during March fighting in Kinshasa, and that those responsible for the loss of life must be held accountable. Bemba responded to Kabila's comments in an interview of his own, saying he still wished to return to the DRC but needed security "guarantees" before he could do so. Kabila criticized MONUC, saying the peacekeeping mission needs to be more proactive, particularly in eastern DRC. The President responded to charges his government has gotten off to a slow start since he was inaugurated eight months ago, promising there would be results visible by September of this year. End summary. -------------- ON BEMBA: LET JUSTICE TAKE ITS COURSE -------------- ¶2. (U) The June 24 edition of "Jeune Afrique" published an extended interview, which has been widely circulated in Kinshasa, with President Joseph Kabila in which he provided his opinions on a wide variety of topics. Congolese media reports concerning the article have focused primarily on Kabila's responses to questions concerning Jean-Pierre Bemba and the possibility of his arrest should he return to the DRC from his self-imposed exile in Portugal. Kabila said the Attorney General has opened an inquiry into the events of March 22-23 during which forces loyal to Bemba and Kabila fought in downtown Kinshasa, and has asked for Bemba's senatorial immunity to be lifted. Kabila urged repeatedly that "justice be allowed to take its course." His comments reflect similar statements he made during his recent visit to South Africa. ¶3. (U) Kabila said those responsible for the March violence -- in which he claimed slightly more than 100 were killed -- should be identified and brought to justice. He claimed that Bemba's objective at the time was to assault the presidential residence, "eliminate (him) physically," and seize power. Responding to critics that the Congolese military had used excessive force against Bemba's militia, Kabila argued that the army exercised a "force completely proportional to the threat" it faced. He questioned why the Congolese army has been criticized when the international community said little when the Lebanese army took action against Islamic militants hiding in refugee camps, resulting in significant casualties. ¶4. (SBU) Kabila mocked Bemba for leaving the country after his electoral defeat, noting that French presidential candidate Segolene Royal, who won 47 percent against Nicolas Sarkozy, decided to stay and continue her political struggle. Kabila said Bemba left the DRC because his fight, unlike Royal's, "had nothing to do with politics." Declaring himself "a man of consensus," Kabila said he was not hostile to a political overture to Bemba. He added, though, that he is not willing to join together with "anyone who wants to sabotage the government." Kabila said Bemba is against a government of national unity, and that he sees no reason to beg him to join in one. ¶5. (SBU) Bemba responded to Kabila's "Jeune Afrique" comments during a June 29 interview with the Belgian broadcaster RTBF. He said he wanted to return to the DRC as soon as possible but needed security guarantees for himself and the political opposition. Bemba claimed he saw in the government "the will to muzzle all forms of opposition." He asked rhetorically whether Kabila was trying to install a democracy or another system, and argued that if such a system is not a democracy, then it "can only be a dictatorship." Bemba alleged there is no freedom of expression or movement, and that members of the opposition fear for their security. He vowed he would not resort to violence, saying the country needs peace, not war. -------------- MONUC MUST BE MORE PROACTIVE -------------- ¶6. (U) Kabila criticized MONUC for not assuming a more proactive role. He alleged that MONUC peacekeepers in Kinshasa did "nothing" to stop Bemba's militia from attacking the military and police in March, even though they were positioned around Bemba's headquarters. Kabila added that MONUC plays an essential role in the East, but that it must KINSHASA 00000740 002 OF 002 now be "more effective." He said there are "a thousand and one questions" about why there is such insecurity in eastern DRC even though MONUC has 80 percent of its forces there. Kabila said that if MONUC does not become more "active" and produce better results on the ground, and that if the Security Council does not provide it the mandate to do so, then MONUC "will not have much reason for staying." -------------- CONFIRMS WARRANT AGAINST NKUNDA -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Speaking about dissident General Laurent Nkunda, Kabila reconfirmed there is an arrest warrant against him. Kabila claimed that Nkunda is not unique, however, noting there are numerous war criminals hiding in the Kivus who are being sought by national and international justice, though he did not name anyone specifically in the interview. He went on to list the various attacks Nkunda carried out against the government and the population, including the late 2006 fighting at Sake, which he asserted was stopped by the Congolese military. (Comment: The army had all but dissolved in the face of Nkunda's attack on Sake, and Nkunda's advance was stopped only after MONUC intervened forcefully, including the use of helicopter gunships. End comment.) Nonetheless, Kabila complained, MONUC and the international community would like for him to negotiate with Nkunda to end the conflict. -------------- JUST WAIT UNTIL SEPTEMBER -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Kabila repeatedly maintained the public would see the results of the government's work in September of this year. He claimed "no one is more impatient" than he is for reform and reconstruction, and promised that 2008 would be the year for economic revival. Kabila claimed he has been working without rest or vacation since becoming president. He portrayed the Congo as a giant that has been asleep for the last 40 years and is now just beginning to awake. He promised that any of his ministers found to be corrupt would be immediately sent to prison. -------------- CHINA: A NEW PARTNER? -------------- ¶9. (U) Kabila played up his country's increasing ties to China and the number of Chinese-led development projects being launched in the DRC. Referring to the recent African forum in China, Kabila said he hoped one day to be able to host a similar event in Congo to highlight China. Kabila said the Congolese have no worries about Chinese involvement in their country, noting it was China who offered its services to repair Kinshasa's main airport road after the European Union allegedly was reluctant to do so. He said if the West were truly interested in the well-being and development of the Congo, it should shows its willingness to engage in such projects. -------------- COMMENT: A HARD-LINE VIEW -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Kabila took a harder public line against Bemba than he has previously, signaling that he likely has no intention of facilitating the return of his political rival to the DRC. While he was quick to criticize MONUC for not ensuring complete security in the DRC, he made no mention of the role the Congolese military should be playing. End comment. MEECE