Minister of Foreign Affairs convokes

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KINSHASA 000844 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO PHUM PREF CG SUBJECT: Minister of Foreign Affairs convokes P-5 October 4 to discuss eastern Congo ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Congolese Minister of Foreign Affairs Mbusa Nyamwisi convoked UN Security Council P-5 representatives on October 4 to make an official statement on the situation in the eastern part of the Congo and to discuss GDRC preoccupations with Laurent Nkunda's recent belligerent declarations and concerns over an alleged build-up of Rwandan troops across the border from the DRC. All parties represented in the meeting expressed continued support for the AMANI and Nairobi Communique processes. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Mbusa convoked a snap meeting (invitations were extended the same day) of ambassadors of UN Security Council Permanent members (P-5) to a meeting on the security situation in eastern DRC on October 4. In attendance were the Minister of State for the Interior; Denis Kalume, the National Security Advisor, Kaumba; Ambassadors of the UK, France and China; First Secretary of Russian Embassy; and U.S. Officer-in-Charge in Kinshasa, Stephen Haykin (Charge d'Affaires was in Goma). Mbusa distributed a statement at the meeting; the text of statement follows in unofficial translation (para 9) and in original French text (para 10). (Note: The statement has also been posted to the Ministry's website. End note.) P-5 pledges continued support to Amani, Nairobi -------------- -- ¶3. (SBU) After the Minister's presentation the UK Ambassador spoke first, stating that his government shares the GDRC's concerns and agrees in the need to stick to the Amani and Nairobi processes. He affirmed the need to maintain the Joint Task Force with Rwanda as well as the need for the two countries to open Embassies. He suggested that the joint verification mechanism would be appropriate for addressing concerns regarding potential border violations and asked if the GDRC has yet addressed this issue directly with the Government of Rwanda. He noted that the UK condemns Nkunda's declaration and reiterated support for the AMANI and Nairobi processes. ¶4. (SBU) The French Ambassador noted that the EC Special Envoy, Roland Van de Geer is currently in Goma. He called Nkunda's latest declaration tantamount to treason. He stated that the EC did not plan to make a statement on the declaration so as not to embolden Nkunda through recognition. He affirmed the need to maintain a cease fire. He noted the need to look into the actions of Rwanda but stated that he had no specific information and thus no position as yet. He reiterated EU support for Amani. ¶5. (SBU) The Chinese Ambassador acknowledged the GDRC concerns and stated that China wants peace and therefore supports all peace processes. The U.S. OIC noted that U.S. positions in support of stability are well known by the GDRC and, in particular, the U.S. supports AMANI, the Nairobi Communique, and the current plan for disengagement. He asked for further clarification on the basis for concerns about the alleged buildup on the eastern frontier. Mbusa alleges build-up of Rwandan troops along border -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Minister Mbusa then stated that there is a build-up of Rwandan troops all across the border corresponding to the Kibumba-Bungana axis. He asserted that Nkunda would not take such strong positions without renewed support from Rwanda. He noted that the GDRC has observation posts in the area. He stated that it is difficult to address concerns directly with Kigali due to lack of diplomatic relations but noted that the President of the African Union is informed of the GDRC's concerns and that he expects a regional, AU, response. He also noted that the GDRC accepts the disengagement plan. ¶7. (SBU) The Russian First Secretary said he had little to add to what had already been stated. The French Ambassador noted MONUC's view that the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC) need to maintain control of the FDLR, especially at three particular sites, and asked the GDRC's view. Minister Kalume responded that MONUC is helping to train the FARDC to counter the FDLR. He stated that the Congolese population also wants the GDRC to take action against the FDLR. National Security Advisor Kaumba noted that the FDRC has reinforced troops near FDLR positions and decried complaints by the Rwandans that there are FARDC troop concentrations in these areas. ¶8. (SBU) Comment: The meeting was amicable and the GDRC's messages were clear and direct. We welcome Embassy Kigali's comments on allegations regarding Rwandan actions. End comment. Unofficial translation of Ministry statement -------------- KINSHASA 00000844 002 OF 004 ¶9. (U) Following is an unofficial translation of the Minister's October 3 statement. Begin unofficial translation: Statement of the Government of the DRC to Ambassadors Representing the Member Countries of the United Nations Security Council. Excellencies, Ambassadors; I start first by welcoming you and presenting you with an outline on the purpose of this meeting. As you will have noted, with us today are the Minister of State for the Interior, Decentralization and Security, President of the Steering Committee of the AMANI Program, myself, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and President of the Steering Committee for the Nairobi Process, with the Coordinator of this plan, the special advisor of the Head of State for security matters. This program addresses foreign armed groups present on Congolese soil (FDLR and others). With respect to the frame of reference for this meeting, it is in the context of the evolution of the security situation in the east of our country. And we wish to outline two issues of concern to the Facilitation that are also of issues of concern to the two Programs (Amani and Nairobi Communique). The first issue of concern: The bellicose declaration of Laurent Nkundabatware We would like to remind our august participants that Nkunda declared on October 2, 2008 that, for him, AMANI is buried and that his movement ceased to be a movement seeking redress and has become a rebellion with the establishment of structures such as a parallel government. Taking into account the serious consequences this type of declaration could have on the peace and security of the sub-region, we call upon you as members of the Security Council so that you can fully play your role of prevention and of maintaining the peace and, above all, monitor that past resolutions adopted by the United nations Security Council are respected, in particular: First: with regard to the respect of the integrity and the authority of the State throughout the entire territory of the Congo Second: with regard to the respect of the AMANI Program and the Nairobi Communique as the only ultimate framework for the reestablishment of peace in the DRC and in the sub-region. We ask you that MONUC be used, therefore, to bring about peace and we support the request that has just been formulated by the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations to the members of the Security Council to that effect. The second issue of concern: In accordance with information from Rwanda, which is clearly supporting the CNDP, and which is reinforcing its positions along the frontier with our country from Bunagana to Kibumba, in flagrant violation of all processes now underway. We ask members of the Security Council to carefully monitor this situation, which risks inflaming the region and endangering the prospects for peace for some time to come if the Security Council does not play its role of prevention and peacekeeping by exerting pressure on Rwanda. To conclude, in our capacities of Presidents of the Steering Committees of the two Programs, we reiterate the desire of the Government of the Republic to have both programs move forward simultaneously to permit the return to peace, the return of refugees and the internally displaced, and to instill a climate of harmony and peaceful cohabitation of all core communities, along with the return of foreign armed groups to their countries of origin. We thank you for your attention and are available to respond to any questions questions you may have. End translation. Original French text of Ministry statement KINSHASA 00000844 003 OF 004 -------------- ¶10. (U) Following is original French text of the foreign minister's statement. Begin original text in French: COMMUNICATION DU GOUVERNEMENT DE LA RDC AUX AMBASSADEURS REPRESENTANTS LES PAYS MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE SECURITE DES NATIONS UNIES EXCELLENCES MESSIEURS LES AMBASSADEURS, JE COMMENCE TOUT D'ABORD PAR VOUS SOUHAITER LA BIENVENUE ET VOUS PRESENTER LE CADRE ET L'OBJET DE CETTE RENCONTRE. COMME VOUS L'AUREZ CONSTATE, NOUS NOUS RETROUVONS AVEC LE MINISTRE D'ETAT CHARGE DE L'INTERIEUR, DECENTRALISATION ET SECURITE, PRESIDENT DU COMITE DE PILOTAGE DU PROGRAMME AMANI, MOI-MEME, MINISTRE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES ET DE LA COOPERATION INTERNATIONALE ET PRESIDENT DU COMITE DE PILOTAGE DU PROCESSUS DE NAROBI AVEC LE COORDONNATEUR DE CE PLAN, LE CONSEILLER SPECIAL DU CHEF DE L'ETAT EN MATIERE DE SECURITE. CE PROGRAMME TRAITE DES GROUPES ARMES ETRANGERS PRESENTS SUR LE SOL CONGOLAIS. EN CE QUI CONCERNE LE CADRE DE CETTE RENCONTRE, NOUS LE SITUONS EN RAPPORT AVEC L'EVOLUTION DE LA SITUATION SECURITAIRE A L'EST DE NOTRE PAYS. ET NOUS AVONS TENU A PRESENTER NOS DEUX PREOCCUPATIONS A LA FACILITATION QUI EST COMMUNE AUX DEUX PROGRAMMES (AMANI ET COMMUNIQUE DE NAROBI). LA PREMIERE PREOCCUPATION : LA DECLARATION BELLIQUEUSE DE LAURENT NKUNDABATWARE. NOUS VOUDRIONS RAPPELER A VOTRE AUGUSTE ASSISTANCE QUE NKUNDABATWARE A DECLARE EN DATE DU 02 OCTOBRE2008 QUE, POUR LUI, AMANI EST ENTERRE ET QUE SON MOUVEMENT CESSAIT D'ETRE UN MOUVEMENT DE REVENDICATION ET DEVENAIT UNE REBELLION AVEC UNE MISE EN PLACE DES STRUCTURES TELLES QUE UN GOUVERNEMENT PARALLELE. COMPTE TENU DES CONSEQUENCES GRAVES QUE POURRAIENT ENTRAINER CES GENRES DES DECLARATIONS SUR LA PAIX ET LA SECURITE DANS LA SOUS - REGION, NOUS TENONS A INTERPELLER LES MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE SECURITE QUE VOUS ETES AFIN QUE VOUS PUISSIEZ JOUER PLEINEMENT VOTRE ROLE DE PREVENTION ET DE MAINTIEN DE LA PAIX ET SURTOUT POUR VEILLER A CE QUE LES RESOLUTIONS ANTERIEURES PRISES PAR LE CONSEIL DE SECURITE DES NATIONS UNIES SOIENT RESPECTEES NOTAMMENT : PRIMO : EN MATIERE DE RESPECT DE L'INTEGRITE ET DE L'AUTORITE SUR L'ENSEMBLE DU TERRITOIRE CONGOLAIS SECUNDO : EN MATIERE DE RESPECT DU PROGRAMME AMANI ET DU COMMUNIQUE DE NAROBI COMME SEUL CADRE ULTIME POUR LE RETABLISSEMENT DE LA PAIX DANS LA SOUS - REGION. NOUS VOUS DEMANDONS QUE LA MONUC SOIT OUTILLEE EN CONSEQUENCE POUR IMPOSER LA PAIX ET NOUS APPUYONS LA DEMANDE QUI VENAIT D'ETRE FORMULEE PAR LE REPRESETANT SPECIAL DU SECRETAIRE GENERAL DES NATIONS UNIES AUX MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE SECURITE A CET EFFET. LA DEUXIHME PROCCUPATION : EN RAPPORT AVEC LES INFORMATIONS EN PROVENANCE DU RWANDA QUI APPUIE VISIBLEMENT LE CNDP, ET RENFORCE SES POSITIONS TOUT AU LONG DE LA FRONTIERE AVEC NOTRE PAYS DE BUNAGANA A KIBUMBA, EN VIOLATION FLAGRANTE DE TOUS LES PROCESSUS EN COURS. NOUS DEMANDONS AUX MEMBRES DU CONSEIL DE SECURITE DE SUIVRE ATTENTIVEMENT CETTE SITUATION QUI RISQUE D'EMBRASER LA REGION ET DE PERTURBER DURABLEMENT LA PAIX, SI LE CONSEIL DE SECURITE NE JOUE PAS SON ROLE DE PREVENTION ET DE MAINTIEN DE LA PAIX EN EXERGANT DES PRESSIONS SUR LE RWANDA. POUR TERMINER, EN NOTRE QUALITE DE PRESIDENTS DES COMITES DE PILOTAGE DES DEUX PROGRAMMES, NOUS REITERONS LE SOUCI DU GOUVERNEMENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE DE FAIRE ABOUTIR CONCOMITAMMENT LES DEUX PROGRAMMES POUR PERMETTRE LE RETOUR A LA PAIX, LE RETOUR DES REFUGIES ET DEPLACES INTERNES ET L'INSTAURATION D'UN CLIMAT DE CONCORDE ET DE COHABITATION PACIFIQUE ENTRE TOUTES LES COMMUNAUTES DE BASE, AINSI QUE LE RETOUR DES GROUPES ARMES ETRANGERS DANS LEURS PAYS D'ORIGINE. KINSHASA 00000844 004 OF 004 NOUS VOUS REMERCIONS POUR VOTRE ATTENTION ET SOMMES DISPOSES A REPONDRE A D'EVENTUELLES QUESTIONS. - (FIN DE TEXTE). End original text in French. BROCK