EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 16

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001109 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - DECEMBER 16 ¶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. Anti-LRA Operation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to MONUC sources, FARDC and SPLA soldiers, along with four Ugandan helicopter gunships, are supporting the Ugandan army in the operation against the LRA. A senior MONUC military source told Goma poloff that MONUC is prepared to offer logistical support to the operation. Nairobi Talks -------------- ¶3. (SBU) MONUC will reportedly transport eight CNDP negotiators to Nairobi for the next round of talks with the GDRC. MONUC contacts in Goma did not have the names of the members of the CNDP team, but noted that the composition will be different from the group that went to Nairobi last week. A senior MONUC source in Goma told poloff it is unlikely the CNDP negotiators will have final authority on major decisions, but that UN mediator General Sumbeiwo has Nkunda's personal phone number, and will intervene directly with him to keep negotiations moving. North Kivu Security Situation -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to information provided by MONUC, unidentified assailants shot at a vehicle of the Italian NGO AVSI December 15, injuring the driver and killing the passenger. The AVSI personnel were traveling in CNDP-controlled territory from Rutshuru town at the time of the shooting. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC reported that a dispute at the FARDC base near the Goma airport resulted in four deaths. A FARDC commander reportedly brought two men and a woman into his office to resolve the dispute, and a hand grenade went off, killing all four. ¶6. (SBU) With respect to the FDLR, MONUC has reports that approximately two dozen demoralized FDLR fighters near Manangara (in northwest CNDP-held territory) have expressed a desire to repatriate to Rwanda. In addition, there have been almost no recent verified reports of combat between the CNDP and FDLR. ¶7. (SBU) MONUC continues to reconfigure its forces to defend Goma and prepare for the arrival of an additional 3000 UN peacekeepers. At present, there are 1000 MONUC soldiers in and around Goma, along with 5000 FARDC soldiers. GARVELINK