Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07USUNNEWYORK744
2007-09-12 21:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:  

UNSC: U/SYG HOLMES ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DR

Tags:  PHUM PREF UNSC CG XA 
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PP RUEHBZ
DE RUCNDT #0744/01 2552158
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 122158Z SEP 07
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2574
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBZ/AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE PRIORITY
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA PRIORITY 0255
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 0304
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 0239
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 1293
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 2849
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000744 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF, IO, AND PRM; USAID FOR DCHA; NSC FOR PMARCHAM;
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH; ROME FOR HSPANOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF UNSC CG XA
SUBJECT: UNSC: U/SYG HOLMES ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DR
CONGO

USUN NEW Y 00000744 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000744

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF, IO, AND PRM; USAID FOR DCHA; NSC FOR PMARCHAM;
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH; ROME FOR HSPANOS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREF UNSC CG XA
SUBJECT: UNSC: U/SYG HOLMES ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DR
CONGO

USUN NEW Y 00000744 001.2 OF 002



1. (U) Summary. On September 11, UN Under Secretary for
Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes briefed the Security Council
in a closed session on the humanitarian situation in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Based on his recent
field visit to DRC, Holmes outlined continuing humanitarian
needs, particularly in the eastern region, while also noting
some progress towards recovery following elections and an end
to fighting in most areas of the country. Holmes expressed
particular concern over widespread sexual violence, calling
on the international community to continue to treat the
victims of such atrocities while working more effectively to
prevent them. Holmes reported that the Cluster Approach
provides an effective coordination framework for the UN's
humanitarian efforts, but he emphasized that the DRC Action
Plan remains significantly under-funded.


2. (U) Summary continued. Holmes urged stronger political
dialogue, both within DRC and with its neighbors, to address
the root causes of the long-term conflict and to prevent its
spreading to neighboring countries. Security Council members
echoed support for Holmes' message, supporting continued
humanitarian assistance, the continuation of MONUC's role in
protecting civilians, and more robust political efforts to
develop a comprehensive solution to the crisis. Following
the consultations and with the agreement of all members,
France, as Security Council President, released a press
statement expressing the Council's deep concern and calling
for all parties to initiate a dialogue to end the conflict.
End summary.


3. (U) Holmes' assessment of the humanitarian situation in
DRC following his recent mission depicted some improvement,
including the overall reduction of internally displaced
persons (IDPs) over the last four years from 3.4 million to
1.2 million, the establishment of some democratic
institutions, and general stability in many parts of the
country. However, he expressed grave concern over continuing
humanitarian needs, characterized by severe malnutrition and
high levels of displacement in some areas following recent

violence, as well as widespread chronic disease and the
virtual absence of infrastructure in much of the country.


4. (U) Holmes noted that North and South Kivu account
together for close to one million IDPs, which is ninety per
cent of the total national caseload (with two-thirds of that
number in North Kivu, including 300,000 since November 2006).
Holmes reported redoubled efforts by UN agencies, NGOs and
the Red Cross in Mugunga, North Kivu, including emergency
mass registration of IDPs for the distribution of food and
shelter material, but he warned that current capacities are
overstretched. Holmes also noted worrying trends that
displaced populations appear to be self-segregated along
ethnic lines and that the current conflict has the potential
to spill into neighboring countries.


5. (U) Among a range of ongoing humanitarian concerns,
Holmes stressed sexual violence as a particularly disturbing
feature of the DRC conflict. He cited 15,000 victims of
sexual violence treated in Panzi Hospital near Bukavu since
it opened in 1999, and he speculated that many more women go
untreated due to the ostracism associated with such attacks.
He called on the international community to continue to treat
victims of sexual violence as well as to find better ways to
prevent it. Holmes called on the DRC government to put into
place a "justice system worthy of the name" to address the
current culture of impunity, including the immediate
implementation of laws on sexual violence that were recently
passed by the National Assembly. Holmes identified MONUC's
commitment to the protection of civilians, including the
"judicious use of its presence as a deterrent," as
invaluable. In response to a number of questions from
members on what more could be done, Holmes admitted that
there is "no magic solution," but that there is urgent need
to continue treatment for victims as well as to enhance
training of government troops (although he also acknowledged
that many violations are committed by irregular military
forces).


6. (U) Turning to the political situation, Holmes noted that
the complex political and ethnic roots of the conflict must

USUN NEW Y 00000744 002.2 OF 002


be tackled through dialogue and negotiation. He called for
"strong, urgent and concerted political and diplomatic
action" by the DRC government, governments in the region, and
the international community. Holmes speculated that the
current ceasefire's danger of collapsing is "extremely high"
if not accompanied by political dialogue, adding that there
might be a role for outside mediation. He commended recent
efforts by the DRC government to engage in dialogue with
Rwanda and Uganda. Asked about any recommendations to DPKO
following his visit, Holmes responded that he will suggest
that MONUC force levels not be reduced in the near term and
that MONUC continue to pursue its protection of civilians
mandate. Regarding concerns about ethnic polarization,
Holmes called on the DRC government to make clear that they
recognize a political role for the Tutsi community in eastern
DRC.


7. (U) Member states expressed unanimous concern about the
humanitarian situation in DRC, including the potential
spill-over of the conflict to neighboring countries. Many
thanked Holmes for his attempts to galvanize international
attention and support. Stressing that there can be no
military solution to the conflict in eastern DRC, many
members echoed Holmes' call for expanded political dialogue,
both internally and within the region. Belgium noted that
natural resources and their management are an important
element in the conflict and therefore need to be addressed.


8. (U) The U.S. intervention expressed concern about the
recent fighting in eastern DRC and its humanitarian impact on
civilian populations. Ambassador Sanders also noted concern
over the World Food Program's (WFP) pipeline, which is under
increased strain due to the additional needs from recent
displacement. Holmes responded that he is carefully watching
the WFP pipeline and announced that the Common Humanitarian
Fund (CHF) in DRC recently allocated an additional $3 million
to WFP. More resources could be allocated from the CHF or
the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) if needed,
according to Holmes. In response to a U.S. question, Holmes
also stated that the Cluster Approach, which is being pilot
tested in DRC, has provided an effective coordination
framework at national and local levels. Holmes added that
humanitarian coordination in DRC is "not perfect,"
particularly in the health sector, but that the Cluster
Approach has proved beneficial in strengthening leadership
and addressing gaps in coverage.


9. (U) With the agreement of all Security Council members,
France, as Security Council President, released a press
statement expressing the Council's concern about recent
fighting in North Kivu and urging all parties to comply with
international humanitarian law. The statement called for the
Congolese authorities to address impunity, particularly with
regard to sexual violence and abuse against women and
children. In addition, it demanded that illegal armed groups
lay down their arms and urged the Congolese authorities to
redouble efforts to seek a comprehensive political solution
to the conflict.
KHALILZAD