Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KINSHASA784
2008-09-22 12:24:00
SECRET
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

ITCR EFFORTS TO LOCATE RWANDAN FUGITIVES

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM ICTR CG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO8226
PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0784 2661224
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 221224Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8464
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
S E C R E T KINSHASA 000784 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ICTR CG
SUBJECT: ITCR EFFORTS TO LOCATE RWANDAN FUGITIVES

Classified By: Ambassador William Garvelink for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).

S E C R E T KINSHASA 000784

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ICTR CG
SUBJECT: ITCR EFFORTS TO LOCATE RWANDAN FUGITIVES

Classified By: Ambassador William Garvelink for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (S) Summary: ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow told
the Ambassador on September 9 that the ICTR has located 5
suspected Rwandan "genocidaires" on Congolese territory. The
ICTR is attempting to engage MONUC and the GDRC to step up
efforts to apprehend the fugitives. The GDRC, while willing
to assist, is asking for $20,500 for intelligence collection
targeting the suspects. In a follow-up conversation, MONUC
officials told us that, in principle, MONUC would support
GDRC operations to apprehend Rwandan fugitives, but would
need to verify with its legal staff that such action would
fall under its mandate. End Summary.


2. (C) On September 9, Ambassador met with ICTR Prosecutor
Hassan Bubacar Jallow to discuss ICTR efforts to locate and
apprehend Rwandan genocidaires in the DRC. According to
Jallow, ICTR has located 5 of the wanted fugitives. All five
are in relatively inaccessible areas of North Kivu, requiring
the use of "specialized equipment" to go after the suspects.
Originally, the ICTR had wanted to transfer the suspects to
Rwanda, but the GDRC vetoed this idea.


3. (S) The ICTR, Jallow noted, cannot undertake any law
enforcement activities, so it is dependent on MONUC and the
GDRC in this area. The ICTR was therefore attempting to
persuade both entities to become more involved. However,
Jallow said that the GDRC was asking for $20,500 to help fund
informants for intelligence collection, as the GDRC did not
have adequate field collection capabilities.


4. (C) Ambassador underscored that the USG was strongly
supportive of ICTR efforts to engage both MONUC and the GDRC
to apprehend genocidaires. RSO briefed Jallow on the USG's
Rewards for Justice program, pointing out that post had
received 8 credible leads in August and 93 credible hits
since May 2008. Post forwards all such leads to ICTR
investigators in Kigali.


5. (C) Jallow said that the Congolese should be "fed up"
with ICTR fugitives using Congo as a safehaven. The ICTR,
according to Jallow, would step up its PR campaign in Congo,
primarily through the UN's nationwide radio station, Radio
Okapi. Moreover, the ICTR was considering establishing a
permanent presence in Kinshasa under the UN umbrella. Jallow
added that the ICTR has received information on Rwandan
genocidaires from a broad range of governments in the region,
including South Africa and Uganda.


6. (C) PolCouns followed up on September 18 with Marcella
Favretto, Deputy Head of MONUC's Human Rights Office.
Favretto, who attended Jallow's meeting with UN SRSG Alan
Doss, said that Doss had agreed in principle to assist the
GDRC, should it request support for such an operation. Doss
reportedly cautioned, however, that MONUC's legal office
would have to give assurances that this operation would fall
under MONUC's mandate. Favretto emphasized that the GDRC
would have to take the lead with any law enforcement action,
with MONUC providing logistical and technical assistance.
GARVELINK