SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 7, 2008,

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000984 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT FOR DRC - NOVEMBER 7, 2008, AS OF 12:30 PM CENTRAL AFRICAN TIME (GMT +1) REFS: (A) KINSHASA 972 (B) KINSHASA 980 ¶1. (U) All times Kinshasa (GMT + 1) unless otherwise indicated. ¶2. (U) The items contained in this situation report consist principally of spot information from various sources. This report is not exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be confirmed at this time. Security Situation in Goma and Surrounding Area -------------- -- ¶3. (SBU) The EAC met at 8 AM (septel) on November 7. Based on the recommendations of TDY DS agent Jim Landis and the improved security situation in Goma, the EAC decided to allow USG staff in the area 24/7 access to Goma. Travel to Goma for others will continue to be based on COM approval. The lightly armored vehicle, which Embassy Kigali has provided (ref A),should be operational today in Goma. ¶4. (SBU) MONUC has reinforced Goma with an additional 320 soldiers, bringing the total to 1,000 in the town. However, because of the terrain - suburbs stretching out to forest and lava fields - it is impossible to completely prevent CNDP infiltration into Goma. If Goma is attacked, MONUC's fallback plan is to concentrate on securing key sites - UN facilities, the Governor's office, the Provincial Assembly, and the airport. ¶5. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported at a November 6 briefing that there was no evidence of any systematic killings of civilians at Kiwanja (ref B). MONUC said there were seven civilians killed, in what they thought was crossfire between PARECO and CNDP forces. MONUC added that some of the civilian dead may have been PARECO combatants in civilian clothes. Despite MONUC assurances, there are persistent reports circulating that much larger numbers of civilians were killed at Kiwanja. ¶6. (SBU) MONUC Kinshasa reported that the CNDP attacked and captured a FARDC camp near Nyanzale on November 6. The FARDC 15th integrated brigade fled before the attack, leading MONUC to believe it had been tipped off about CNDP action. Separately, there are reports of Rwandan Defense Force units concentrating in the Nyungwe Forest in Rwanda, just east of Bukavu. At the same time, rumors continue about CNDP infiltration at Kavumu, near the Bukavu airport. Political Developments -------------- ¶7. (U) Press reporting notes the opening of the summit in Nairobi today to address the crisis in North Kivu. The UN Secretary General will be present with Presidents Kabila and Kagame. Other heads of state, including those from South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi will be there as well. The CNDP declared that it does not expect any solution from the summit, and reiterated its demand for direct talks with the GDRC. ¶8. (SBU) Persistent and credible reports continue to circulate that the GDRC will soon agree to direct talks with the CNDP (level uncertain),and that senior military commanders in North Kivu will be replaced. Post continues to seek confirmation on both these issues. Next Report -------------- ¶9. (U) Embassy will continue to closely monitor the issues connected to the crisis in North Kivu but, barring unforeseen circumstances, the next situation report will not be issued before Monday, November 10. BROCK