BACK ON TRACK: 43RD MEETING OF

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001147 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG SUBJECT: BACK ON TRACK: 43RD MEETING OF THE JMG TASK FORCE ON DECEMBER 19 REFS: (A) KIGALI 859; (B) KINSHASA 1016; (C) KINSHASA 1146 ¶1. (SBU) The Joint Monitoring Group Task Force (JMG TF) met at MONUC Headquarters in Goma on December 19, the first meeting since October 10 in Gisenyi, after which subsequent meetings were suspended due to Rwandan concerns about security in Goma. The three-person Rwandan delegation was led by Franco H. Rutagengwa, Director of the Office of the President (Note: Rutagengwa replaces Damascene Rudasingwa. End note). The GDRC delegation was led by Colonel Augustin Mamba. Representatives of the AU, EU, France, UK, MONUC and the UN also attended the two and a half hour meeting, under the chair of U.S. Goma Poloff. JMG participants agreed to meet on a fortnightly basis in Goma, but in view of the holidays, delayed the next meeting until January 9. ¶2. (SBU) Brief introductory remarks in French (GDRC) and English (GOR) reflected a new determination to cooperate at all levels. The delegations agreed that "we speak with one voice," a marked departure from previous discussions replete with mutual accusations. Rutagengwa confirmed GOR support for anti-FDLR military operations (as agreed at a December "4 x 4 Commission" meeting in Goma), normalization of diplomatic relations with the DRC, and regular meetings between authorities on both sides of the border. ¶3. (SBU) FARDC Colonel Mamba reviewed the conclusions of the JMG Envoy Level (JMG - EV) meeting December 8-10 in Kigali, including the resumption of meetings at the UN/AU level and the JMG TF under U.S. chair (ref A). The International Facilitation (IF) reviewed its December 15 trip to Kasiki where 140 FDLR-RUD combatants await repatriation to Rwanda. All sides agreed that ex-combatants could return at any time, and the Rwandan delegation welcomed an exploratory visit if it would facilitate the return. Mamba stated that the Nairobi Communique would still govern repatriation, but he added that it could happen quickly. The meeting participants agreed to discuss the matter again at the next JMG TF meeting with a view to repatriation early in 2009 (Note: per Ref B, FDLR-RUD elements in Kasiki have expressed a preference for repatriation vice relocation in the DRC. End note). ¶4. (SBU) Alex Smith Mackenzie, Chief of Office for DDR/DDRRR in South Kivu, reviewed recent trends in repatriation, noting that the FDLR in South Kivu appeared to be giving up on a military option. Almost all FDLR, however, refer any political questions to Ignace Murwanashyaka, the FDLR political leader in Germany, who still appears to wield great influence over the FDLR. ¶5. (SBU) In an aside, Rutagengwa told Goma Poloff that he warmly welcomes the U.S. MIST team's involvement in the DDRRR effort. He also said that he did not think Rwandan forces would participate on the ground in any joint actions against the FDLR, but that Rwanda would help plan, support, and coordinate actions undertaken by the FARDC (ref C). ¶6. (SBU) Comment: The December 19 meeting represents a promising resumption at the technical level, but action on the ground against the FDLR will be needed to sustain the warming relations between the DRC and Rwanda. Continued dialogue at the ministerial level and actual operations against the FDLR will capitalize on the momentum generated by diplomatic efforts. End Comment. GARVELINK