CATHOLIC BISHOPS WARN DRC LEADERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000842 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINS PHUM SCUL CG SUBJECT: CATHOLIC BISHOPS WARN DRC LEADERS REF: KINSHASA 394 ¶1. (U) Summary: Congo's Catholic bishops have raised concerns about ongoing threats to the DRC's security, natural resources, and national sovereignty as well as its general state of economic and political development. A statement released July 9 calls for immediate action by the Congolese people and government, the international community, and MONUC to reverse this trend. Signed by the country's 47 bishops and archbishops, the statement received significant attention in the local media, testifying to the Catholic Church's continued political role in the DRC. End summary. -------------- A CALL TO ACTION -------------- ¶2. (U) The National Bishops Conference of the Congo (CENCO) released July 9 the conclusions of its 43rd plenary session, held in Kinshasa July 3-7. Entitled "New Wine, New Wineskins," it portrays the 2006 elections as a turning point in the DRC's history. Echoing language from the GDRC's campaign for a "Change of Mentality for the Development of the DRC," launched the previous week by the Ministry of Culture, it calls on Congolese society to begin a process of "mental change" to reflect the nation's transition towards democracy and desire for a better future. ¶3. (U) The bishops' statement maintains that the Congolese people continue to suffer unnecessarily and that, since elections, little has changed in the "new DRC." It urges all levels of Congolese society to take immediate and concrete steps to bring about development and safeguard the country against the "dangers which await it once again," such as insecurity in the East, exploitation of natural resources, and the suppression of national sovereignty. ¶4. (U) The statement was signed by the 41 bishops and six archbishops who lead the country's 47 dioceses and represent more than 30 million Catholics. Also present at the conference was Cardinal Yvan Dias, special envoy of Pope Benedict XVI, who traveled from Rome to discuss the selection of a new archbishop for Kinshasa following the death of the politically influential Cardinal Etsou in January. -------------- SECURITY -------------- ¶5. (U) The bishops call the security situation in the Congo "worrisome once again" and appeal to all involved to work collaboratively to resolve tensions. They emphasize that "national sovereignty and territorial integrity are not negotiable" in working towards this goal. ¶6. (U) In particular, the bishops stress the urgency of creating a "true republican army" which is "capable of responding to its mission of defending and safeguarding the integrity of the national territory." They view the improvement of military working and living conditions as essential to achieving this goal, and suggest the construction of barracks as a step in this direction. The bishops also call on MONUC to live up to popular expectations that it will protect the population and, in doing so, maintain their confidence. -------------- NATURAL RESOURCES -------------- ¶7. (U) The bishops describe the exploitation of Congolese natural resources as a source of insecurity as well as underdevelopment. They cite conflicts over oil near Lake Albert in Ituri District as an example of tension arising over resource control and warn that the population risks an "oil war" should it not first see the benefits of resource extraction in local communities. ¶8. (U) They also emphasize that mining and forestry enterprises should respect the natural environment and contribute, above all else, to local development. To further these objectives, the statement announced the creation of an ad hoc CENCO commission to monitor extractive industries, particularly during the current review of mining and forestry contracts. KINSHASA 00000842 002 OF 002 -------------- NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY -------------- ¶9. (U) The bishops claim the DRC and other African countries are vulnerable to a type of "neocolonialism destined to control power, exploit natural resources, and recuperate money invested in various areas." They warn that the "house is burning" and urge all of Congolese society, particularly its political leaders, to remain attentive at all times since even a small incident can escalate into large consequences. Likewise, the bishops encourage citizens to "remain vigilant like the fathers of independence (who were) endowed with a nationalism that could safeguard the interests of the country." They call on Congolese citizens to "re-conquer independence" by assuming responsibility to develop the "new DRC." ¶10. (U) CENCO was critical of the international community, saying at many points in its statement that both private companies and foreign governments were sources of dependence. It reiterates Pope Benedict XVI's appeal to the G8 for "rapid, unconditional, and full forgiveness of debt" and asserts that debt repayments "penalize the majority of the population while benefiting only a few individuals." ¶11. (U) The bishops emphasize the link between financial security and political independence by highlighting the weakness of the 2007 budget in addressing the GRDC's development agenda and predict that it will induce additional financial dependence on donors. They call on Congolese leaders to work towards the repatriation of money abroad and urge them to avoid signing contracts which might exacerbate inequality within the population or penalize future generations. As in the past, the bishops also emphasize the importance of combating corruption and promoting transparency. They ask both MONUC and the GDRC to make their reports and inquiries public. ¶12. (SBU) The bishops' statement has not elicited public response by the GDRC, the international community, or MONUC despite its criticisms of each. Marc Mvuama (PALU),second vice-president of the National Assembly, told PolIntern that, had the GDRC felt threatened by the statement it would have issued a response or taken action. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶13. (SBU) The bishops' statement was published in full by every major Kinshasa newspaper, and is yet another example of the Catholic Church's continuing role in Congolese politics. Apollinaire Malu-Malu, president of the Independent Electoral Commission, explained to PolIntern that the Church has advocated many of the same messages found in the statement since the transitional government (reftel) and, as such, bold declarations are now expected of it. End comment. MEECE