Meeting with Rene Abandi June 14, 2008

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000537

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG UN EUN
SUBJECT: Meeting with Rene Abandi June 14, 2008


1. (SBU) Summary. USAID and OCHA representatives met with CNDP
spokesman Rene Abandi June 14 to raise concerns regarding several
recent developments, including a CNDP letter attacking NGOs, its
demand for involvement in humanitarian decisions in its territory,
withdrawal of its forces from the area around the Kimoka "peace
camp" and its withdrawal from the Amani programs military
subcommission. Abandi appeared to promise action in some areas, but
his influence on CNDP decision-makers is unclear. End summary.


2. (SBU) USAID Goma Liaison Officer and Gloria Fernandez of OCHA
met with CNDP spokesman Rene Abandi June 14 in an effort to persuade
CNDP to: (a) remove a letter attacking NGOs from its website; (b)
back off demands for full CNDP involvement in humanitarian
decision-making in areas under its control; (c) withdraw militarily
from the Kimoka area; and (d) return as full participants to the
military sub-commission of the Amani program's Joint Technical
Commission on Peace and Security (CTMPS).


3. (SBU) Fernandez said the letter posted June 5 on CNDP's website
was not helpful. Abandi agreed to have it removed.


4. (SBU) Fernandez and USAID Liaison Officer said that demands for
full CNDP participation in humanitarian decision-making could not
and would not be agreed to by any agency. Abandi agreed that they
were perhaps not appropriate. He said he would take steps to work
the issue within the CNDP, and intended to resolve it.


5. (SBU) USAID Liaison Officer said that MONUC was building a
temporary camp at Kimoka and USAID was preparing to build the
"permanent" camp. He said now was the time to evacuate CNDP troops
from the agreed-upon 12 km square area around the camp. He gave
Abandi a sketch of the area to be evacuated, and said he had given
Nkunda a detailed sketch as well. Abandi asked if the FARDC was
going to pull back as well; USAID Liaison Officer replied that this
had not been part of the bargain. Abandi agreed to work to persuade
CNDP to move its forces out of the area.


6. (SBU) Abandi appeared to be somewhat sympathetic to a CNDP
return to the CMTPS military sub-commission, but could not offer
much encouragement, citing higher authorities within CNDP. USAID
Liaison Officer asked him if Nkunda's participation as an expert and
not as leader of the brassage cell would allow things to go forward;
Abandi was unable to provide an answer.


7. (SBU) Abandi noted that the following day marked two months
since the GDRC's self-imposed deadline for a public awareness
campaign aimed at the FDLR. He said he intended to call a press
conference to highlight how little the GDRC had done actually done
against the FDLR.


8. (SBU) Comment: Abandi's influence vis-a-vis CNDP decision
makers is unclear. The conversation appeared to go well in several
areas, but we will have to see what the CNDP actually does. End
comment.