GOMA NOTES - NAIROBI PROCESS: 14TH MEETING OF JMG TASK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINSHASA 000287 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL MOPS MARR PGOV KPKO CG RW SF UN EUN SUBJECT: GOMA NOTES - NAIROBI PROCESS: 14TH MEETING OF JMG TASK FORCE, MARCH 21, 2008 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The March 21 Joint Monitoring Group Task Force session in Goma went reasonably smoothly, with little wrangling. Congo characterized its post-March 15 military plans against the ex-FAR/Interahamwe as a "progressive operation," not "classical war." Rwanda characterized as "positive" Congolese response to its request for, and cooperation at, a March 16 meeting of army chiefs of staff. Rwanda's demobilization chief said its program has processed 6,423 adult returnees and 669 children since 2001, and has plenty of capacity remaining. Task Force members remain divided about a proposed meeting with the Congo-Rwanda Joint Verification Teams in the absence of instructions from JMG Envoys. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The 14th meeting of the Nairobi process Joint Monitoring Group (JMG) Task Force March 21 in Goma was a reasonably smooth session that once again ended on time, at 1430. There was some wrangling, albeit brief and decorous. MONUC-Goma Head of Office Alpha Sow chaired in the absence of the incoming political chief. The U.S., EU (Belgian Consul General Hughes Chantry of Bukavu in the absence of Jean-Michel Dumont),South Africa, AU, and MONUC DDRRR and Political also attended. Colonel Augustin Mamba was again at the head of the DRC delegation. ¶3. (SBU) The Rwandan delegation (headed as usual by Major Franco Rutangengwa and augmented by Jean Sanyizoga, Director of the National Demobilization Commission) went out of its way to say that "there has been an improvement in bilateral relations in the past three weeks," which, in view of the acrimony that has often prevailed at Task Force meetings since its start-up in December, represents a big step forward. The minutes were approved with only a minor change by the Rwandan delegation, which congratulated the chair and the secretariat for even-handed reporting (for a change, they implied). Update on DRC post-March 15 plans -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Mamba reiterated that the FARDC was now engaged in a "progressive operation," "not a classical war" against the ex-FAR/Interahamwe (ex-FAR/IH). Specific points: -- Units have been moved from Goma into Masisi and Walikale, with the aim of limiting access to mining areas. Further units are being brought to Goma from Kitona. -- The emphasis on limiting access to mineral resources will be pursued in both North and South Kivu. Aircraft known to have been transporting product from these areas have been grounded by the civil aviation authorities, and vehicles moving in and out are being stopped and searched. "Clashes" will start in "identified areas" very shortly. -- Political and diplomatic efforts are continuing in parallel with the military campaign. ¶5. (SBU) Rwanda made a few comments/queries: Q: What was DRC doing to implement the provisions in UNSC Resolution 1804 on limiting movement and freezing assets of ex-FAR/IH? A: As we said, we are focusing for now on limiting access to mining areas; other operations will begin in due course. Q: We want to know everything you can tell us about the two FDLR divisions known to be in North and South Kivu: where are they operating, with what equipment? A: For now, we are focusing on mining areas, as described, and this is not the place to discuss such matters. Q: We know that ex-FAR/IH units are blended into the civilian population. What steps are you taking to protect the latter? A: We have given you our full operational program, but the Task Force is not the forum in which to discuss operational details. We have been running "sensibilisation" activities in all affected communities and have advised all traditional chiefs to ensure that their populations move away from ex-FAR/IH units. Q: You are supposed to move captured ex-FAR/IH to reception centers and cantonment areas. Where are these? Who is in them? A: This is a DDRRR/DDR question, something we handle jointly with MONUC, let's put this on the agenda for the next meeting. (Comment: This was clearly a maneuver to put MONUC on the spot, since it is believed that plans and preparations are not well advanced for DDRRR, and especially for DDR of FDLR elements electing to remain in KINSHASA 00000287 002 OF 003 DRC. End comment.) DRC-Rwanda chiefs of staff meeting -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Rwandan delegation used its opening presentation to highlight concerns about joint threats by FARDC and ex-FAR/IH on its border. It said that it had requested the March 16 emergency meeting between the Rwandan and Congolese chiefs of staff in Goma, facilitated by MONUC Acting Force Commander General Bikram Singh, to deal with these. (Note: Others on the Task Force thought the meeting had been called by the DRC, to discuss post-March 15 planning. However, the Rwandan characterization substantially tracks with information presented by SRSG Doss to P3+2 Ambassadors March 17 in Kinshasa. End note.) It said the Congolese response and their cooperation at the meeting were "positive." ¶7. (SBU) Specific agreements reached at that meeting: -- DRC would begin immediately to launch attacks against ex-FAR/IH. -- There will be an increase in intelligence cooperation and exchange. -- MONUC has agreed to facilitate immediate investigations by the bilateral Joint Verification Teams (JVT) into the Rwandan allegations. -- Local commanders in border areas will be instructed to cooperate and share information. -- The two chiefs of staff will continue to meet on a regular basis ¶8. (SBU) Rutagengwa referred repeatedly to what he called a "press release" of the meeting, but when a U.S. delegate asked for a copy following conclusion of the Task Force session, Rutagengwa said that in fact it was "still unofficial," as it "had not been signed." He said he would try to get copies for next week's meeting. MONUC has not seen the "press release" either. Rwandan demobilization activities -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Sanyizoga, the demobilization chief, presented an overview of Rwandan demobilization activities as a special agenda item. He said the program is based on overarching strategic principles of "unity" and "national security." All Rwandans, including rebels and authors of genocide, are encouraged to come home and participate in the program, confessing their crimes if necessary. "The door is open to all who wish to return. We do not want a diaspora." ¶10. (SBU) But Rwandans who have settled in other countries and wish to remain there are also encouraged to do so: Rwanda has no problem with their taking dual nationality if this suits their purposes, and Rwandan nationality is inalienable, even if the host country requires a renunciation of it in order to achieve local nationality. (Comment: These are hot-button issues for the Congolese, who specifically forbid dual nationality and for whom the concept of an inalienable second nationality held by Congolese raises fears of fifth columns. End comment.) ¶11. (SBU) Sanyizoga described the program in terms of its administrative details, the kinds of orientation ("not brainwashing") given at the reception camps, the various resettlement packages on offer, etc. The program has processed 6,423 adult returnees and 669 children since 2001. There is plenty of capacity: Rwanda has the physical resources and the budget to receive as many DDRRR returnees as DRC and MONUC can generate. The program, which was originally scheduled to close at the end of 2008, has been extended through 2011. Envoys meeting -------------- ¶12. (SBU) In "Other Business," Mamba suggested that, as the JMG Envoys would be meeting in New York on April 16, and since many of the Task Force regulars also attend the Envoys' meeting, it would be a good idea to skip the Task Force meeting that week, all the more so since TF meetings held at such times in the past have been particularly dismal and unproductive. ¶13. (SBU) This sounded like a splendid idea to many of the other participants (smiles and nods around the table),but the Rwandan delegation objected strenuously, saying that it was important to continue to show commitment to the Nairobi process by meeting no matter what: while some delegations (i.e., the DRC's) might be a KINSHASA 00000287 003 OF 003 little thin at such times, others (i.e., Rwanda's) were more solidly structured and were ready to meet under all circumstances. The matter was left undecided. Comment -------------- ¶14. (SBU) The Rwandan delegation remains robustly focused on the allegations it has previously put forward of collusion between FARDC and ex-FAR/Interahamwe, ex-FAR/IH build-ups along the Rwandan border, incursions by the latter into Rwanda, and confirmation of all of the above by arrested infiltrators. When they requested that a full presentation of this be made to the Task Force by the JVT, the U.S. and South Africa pointed out that this was not possible because the JVT cannot brief the JMG on its work without specific instructions from the JMG Envoys. ¶15. (SBU) This permission has not formally been sought because the Rwandan delegation had at previous meetings blocked making an official Task Force recommendation to this effect to the Envoys. We would welcome, we said, a full presentation by the JVT of the results of all its allegation investigations as soon as possible -- i.e. (unless the JVT have a change of heart),as soon as the Envoys can be persuaded to issue the appropriate instructions. End comment. GARVELINK