Goma Notes 04/03/08 - Goma Process: Launch of the Joint

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000337 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL CG SUBJECT: Goma Notes 04/03/08 - Goma Process: Launch of the Joint Technical Commission on Peace and Security ¶1. (U) Summary. The Joint Technical Commission on Peace and Security, the key implementing body for the Goma accords, was officially launched in a ceremony in Goma April 3. Remarks by Congolese and international representatives were upbeat, recognizing the challenges and achievements to day, and calling on all to work toward solutions to the unresolved crises in the Kivu provinces. AF Senior Adviser Tim Shortley conveyed the congratulations of the Secretary and A/S Frazer for accomplishments to date, and that of SIPDIS Congress and the White House for the Goma and Nairobi processes. The Commission's first meeting was scheduled for the following day. End summary. ¶2. (U) Two months after the signing of the Goma accords, the "Amani" Program's Joint Technical Commission on Peace and Security was officially launched in Goma on April 3 at 1300. The ceremony was just that -- a ceremony -- with press in attendance and the armed groups very much in the background. The ceremony consisted of a welcome by Governor Julien Paluku, followed by short speeches by Vice Admiral Didier Etumba (co-chairman of the Commission's military sub-commission),French Ambassador Bernard Prevost (EU),AF Senior Adviser Tim Shortley (U.S.),SRSG Alan Doss (UN),Amani National Coordinator Apollinaire Malumalu and finally Interior Minister Denis Kalume, chairman of the Amani steering committee. ¶3. (U) Remarks were upbeat, recognizing the challenges and achievements to date, and exhorting all participants to find solutions to the crisis in North and South Kivu. Representatives of the International Facilitation -- EU, U.S., UN -- (1) condemned human rights violations, (2) underscored that this was the only process capable of bring peace to the Kivus and called on all participants to support it, and (3) reaffirmed their long-term commitment to the process. ¶4. (U) There was no opportunity for the armed groups to speak. Indeed the GDRC delegation kept its distance from the armed groups before (at a GDRC-Facilitation discussion) during and after (at a lunch) the ceremony. ¶5. (U) Also in attendance were the deputy defense minister (representing Minister Chikez Diemu, who is traveling),North Kivu Provincial Assembly President Leon Bariyanga, Vice Governer Feller Lutaichirwa, 8th Military Region Commander General Vainqueur Mayala, Deputy Commander Colonel Delphin Kahimbi, the head of the defense ministry's DDR program, and the government co-chairman of the Commission's social and humanitarian sub-commission. ¶6. (U) MONUC was represented by SRSG Doss, Force Commander General Babacar Gaye, Deputy Force Commander, Eastern Division Commander and Commission Co-Chairman General Bikram Singh, North Kivu Brigade Commander General Indrajeet Nayaran, Acting Political Affairs Division chief Christian Manahl, North Kivu Head of Office Alpha Sow, SRSG Goma representative Menada Wind-Anderson and DDRRR chief Phil Lancaster. Harold Henkel of the World Bank's MDRP also attended. ¶7. (U) The rest of the International Facilitation was represented by A/S Frazer's Senior Adviser Shortley (U.S.) and French Ambassador Prevost (EU),in addition to Goma-based diplomats and experts from the U.S. and EU (including the UK). A text of Shortley's remarks follows below. ¶8. (U) Begin text of Shortley remarks: It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be in Goma today for the launching of the Joint Technical Commission for Peace and Security. Since the Goma Conference in January of this year, we have seen many signs that all parties are committed to the agreement: -- MONUC has redeployed forces in two ways: into North and South Kivu from other parts of the Congo and to the conflicted areas. -- The ceasefire remains in place and, although there have been violations, we have a system in place to ensure that violations do not result in a resumption of the armed conflict. Further, in advance of the formal constitution of this Peace and Security Commission, and as an indication of the International Community's resolve to move proactively to reduce tensions in the Kivus, we take particular notice that two of the parties to the Goma Agreement have agreed to establish three exclusion zones in the petit nord which are now under the control of MONUC. This has been a major confidence building measure, and sets the stage for further demilitarization in the Kivus under the guidance of this Commission. KINSHASA 00000337 002 OF 002 In the last two months, the United States has: -- Opened a full office in Goma. -- Worked closely with our European and African partners in the international facilitation, in close coordination with the leadership of the Congolese Government, to implement the Goma Agreement and the Nairobi Communique -- Worked closely with the United Nations on the stability plan for eastern Congo As members of the International Facilitation we will work closely with Program Amani at all levels and particularly with the joint Technical Commission that is being formed today. The International Community, and we know the people of North and South Kivu, have been eagerly awaiting the actions that this Joint Commission is required to take under its mandate. As with the establishment of the exclusions zones I have already mentioned, we know that these actions require great courage and commitment on the part of each the groups concerned. We salute this courage and assure you that as long as you show the commitment, we in the international facilitation - as well, I know, as MONUC - will be at your side. We stand ready to help the parties to take the necessary actions to ensure that conditions improve quickly in order that internally displaced persons can return home soon and the deplorable incidents of violence against innocent people, particularly sexual violence against women, will end. Implementation of the Goma Agreement is vital to bring security, stability and peace to North and South Kivu. Similarly, implementation of the Nairobi Communique is also essential to bring security, stability and peace to the Kivus. As President Kabila has said himself, the time for the FDLR in Congo is over. Per the UNSC Resolution: the FDLR, ex-FAR/Interhamwe and other Rwandan armed groups in Eastern Congo must lay down their arms and return to Rwanda. The U.S. remains an active participant in the Nairobi process and remains ready to support the parties to implement the Nairobi Communique in support of lasting peace in North and South Kivu. I was present during the Goma Conference and recognize the courage that was necessary to sign the Act de Engagement and the courage it has taken to remain in the process over the last two months. It is good to be here today to see the dreams of the Goma Agreement begin come to fruition. As active partners to the Goma Agreement, you must protect the spirit of Program Amani. You in this room are the key to stability in the Kivus. Secretary Rice and Assistant Secretary Jendayi Frazer have been SIPDIS following the progress of the Goma Agreement and Nairobi Communique very closely and send their congratulations to you today. Their support and that of Members of the United States Congress and the White House have been critical in bringing the full support of the United States Government to help you bring lasting peace to North and South Kivu and to the people of eastern Congo. End text of Shortley remarks. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: This is an important moment for the peace process, however long it may have been in coming. The main outcome of the January Goma Peace Conference and the associated Acte d'Engagement is now a reality. The real work can now begin. The first substantive meeting of the Commission was scheduled for April 4 at 1500, and will be reported septel. End comment. GARVELINK