EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 10

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001089 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 10 ¶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. Nairobi Talks -------------- ¶2. (SBU) MONUC and the international community continue to receive few details from the talks in Nairobi. Obasanjo's mediation team reportedly asked that the two sides conduct the talks in strict confidentiality, given their shared tendency to posture in public. ¶3. (SBU) According to MONUC contacts, discussion on December 10 centered on procedures and rules, while talks on December 11 moved to more substantive issues. The CNDP opened with a hard line position, calling for dismissal of the current GDRC, renegotiation of Amani, a new constitution, and the return of Tutsi refugees in Rwanda. The GDRC continued to insist on utilizing the current Amani framework for political negotiations. According to press reporting, Obasanjo announced that further substantive talks would take place before Christmas. ¶4. (SBU) MONUC contacts in Goma opined to poloff that many in the GDRC and FARDC still believe they can defeat the CNDP militarily, thus, in the view of these contacts, raising questions about the GDRC's commitment to pursue a political settlement at the moment. Security Situation -------------- ¶5. (SBU) MONUC in Goma reported a relatively calm military situation on December 9. MONUC has diverted substantial forces from Ituri and from the Grand Nord to reinforce units in the Petit Nord, closer to the Goma-Rutshuru axis. MONUC anticipates using the 3,000 additional troops recently authorized by the UNSC to rebalance its forces in the Grand Nord. Separately, a senior MONUC military source told Goma poloff that MONUC is willing to support the FARDC, if it moves against the LRA. GARVELINK