Goma Report October 10: North Kivu Calm;

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000884

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO PHUM PREF CG
SUBJECT: Goma Report October 10: North Kivu Calm;
FARDC-FPJC Combat Provokes Panic in Bunia; EU
Envoy Downbeat Following Meeting With Nkunda

REF: Kinshasa 868


1. (SBU) Summary: North Kivu was generally calm October 10, but
fighting between FARDC and the Popular Front for Justice in Congo
(FPJC-Front Populaire pour la Justice au Congo) in Ituri provoked
momentary fear of an FPJC attack on Bunia. Demonstrations against
MONUC continued in Kisangani, but on a much smaller scale than the
previous day. EU Great Lakes envoy Roeland Van de Geer said he was
not optimistic following his October 9 meeting with Laurent Nkunda.
Nkunda was aggressive and adamant that the CNDP no longer
participate in the Amani Process. Nkunda told Van de Geer that the
October 9 BBC interview in which he called for the DRC's
"liberation," had been misinterpreted. Van de Geer warned that
unless a political solution to the conflict is found in the coming
weeks the situation on the ground will deteriorate further. End
Summary.


2. (SBU) North Kivu remained calm, but in Ituri, Radio Okapi
reported gunfire exchanges between FARDC and the Popular Front for
Justice in Congo (FPJC-Front Populaire pour la Justice au Congo) at
Lengabo, approximately 10 kilometers south of Bunia during the early
afternoon of October 10. According to a FARDC officer, the FPJC
attacked Lengabo, stealing cattle and setting a vehicle on fire
before retreating into the jungle. An FPJC spokesman claimed that
FARDC had provoked the firefight.


3. (SBU) The Lengabo fighting sent momentary panic through Bunia,
with markets, schools, and stores closing. By late afternoon, calm
had returned to Bunia. MONUC announced it had reinforced its
positions around Bunia.


4. (SBU) Demonstrations against MONUC continued for a second day in
Kisangani (reftel),but on a much smaller scale.


5. (SBU) Certain Mai-Mai forces in South Kivu are reportedly
calling for mobilization against Laurent Nkunda.


6. (SBU) EU Great Lakes Envoy Roeland Van der Geer briefed the
diplomatic corps resident in Goma on his October 9 meeting with
Nkunda. He described the meeting as "open, frank, and emotional" on
a wide range of issues, including the DRC's macro-economic
situation. Nkunda criticized the GDRC for "selling out" the country
to the IMF and Chinese interests.


7. (SBU) According to Van der Geer, Nkunda said that there had been
misunderstanding and misinterpretation about his BBC interview in
which he called for a liberation movement in the DRC. While the
CNDP would no longer participate in the Amani Process, Nkunda told
Van de Geer that it would accept the January 2008 Goma Accord.
Nkunda again called for a new framework for CNDP/GDRC negotiations,
suggesting that the International Facilitation should become the
International Mediation. He also condemned FARDC/FDLR
collaboration.


8. (SBU) Van de Geer said that his meeting with Nkunda had proved
optimistic. Nkunda appeared tired and was very aggressive. In Van
de Geer's view, a political solution must be found in the coming
weeks to avoid a further deterioration on the ground. FARDC's
General Lukama, however, noted that the fact that Nkunda was finally
meeting with facilitators again was in itself positive.

BROCK