EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 9

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001087 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 9 REF: KINSHASA 1078 ¶1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of spot information from various sources. This report is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be confirmed at this time. Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to information from NGOs provided to the Goma DART team, on December 8 CNDP forces executed the village chief and his son in Kiringa, east of Rutshuru town. NGOs also said that the CNDP prevented Caritas personnel from harvesting beans from a project in Rutshuru intended to feed prisoners in North Kivu. According to Caritas, CNDP soldiers claimed that the rebel group would use the beans to feed its own troops. Mercy Corps separately reported that CNDP forces requisitioned one of its trucks to transport soldiers and equipment to Rumangabo, south of Rutshuru on the road to Goma. ¶3. (SBU) CNDP and PARECO forces reportedly fought in Mukunga and Kahunga, north of Kiwanja. According to local sources, residents of Kiwanja heard the fighting and some fled to Rutshuru. Separately, MONUC reported on December 8 that Mai-Mai forces executed two civilians in Kashebere, in Walikale territory, for unknown reasons. Political Developments -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Several diplomatic sources in Kinshasa have provided information regarding the ongoing meeting in Nairobi between the government and the CNDP. One source, who claimed access to a participant in the talks, said that the major point of disagreement continues to be the framework for future negotiations - whether one-on-one as the CNDP insists, or within the framework of the Amani process as the government wants. The CNDP reportedly protested that it had not cleared the roadmap that Obasanjo's senior advisor, retired Kenyan General Sumbeiwo, had presented to Nkunda (reftel). ¶5. (SBU) Another diplomatic source reported that the meeting will likely go on for several days, as it appeared that Obasanjo and Mkapa had essentially taken the lead in yesterday's session, with no direct dialogue between the GDRC and the CNDP. Obasanjo and Mkapa have allegedly developed a fulsome agenda, which the government fears will allow the CNDP to expand the mandate of the talks. Additionally, a number of Mai-Mai groups have been invited to Nairobi, but will apparently only participate in certain sessions, if both the GDRC and CNDP agree; Obasanjo and Mkapa appear to think this ad hoc participation of other groups would be useful. ¶6. (U) The December 8 meeting of EU Foreign Ministers did not reach a decision to send EU forces to the DRC, but only tasked the Commission and High Representative Solana to prepare the technical, humanitarian, and political elements of the EU's response to the UNSYG's recent letter. In a press conference following the meeting, French Foreign Minister Kouchner appeared to indicate that he supported the plan to send EU forces to the DRC, but that many Member States were opposed. GARVELINK