Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
08STATE63593 | 2008-06-12 19:09:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Secretary of State |
P 121909Z JUN 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE PRIORITY AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY USMISSION USAU ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY |
C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 063593 |
1. (C) Summary: In his meeting with A/S Frazer, DRC President Joseph Kabila stressed the need to 1) expedite integration of rebel troops; 2) accelerate FDLR repatriation to Rwanda; 3) press Europe to deal with FDLR leadership in Europe; 4) address the regional threat of LRA leader Joseph Kony; and 5) provide assistance to Congo to deal with disarmament and return of internally displaced persons. End Summary. 2. (U) A/S Frazer met with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Joseph Kabila, on April 18, 2008 in New York. AF/C Director Wycoff, A/S,s Special Assistant Fatuma Sanneh and AF/RSA John Kelley also participated in the meeting. 3. (C) Kabila opened the meeting by communicating his frustration with the slow integration process for rebel leader Laurent Nkunda,s forces, adding he would &start asking questions8 if the integration process was not underway by June. Kabila emphasized Nkunda must leave the DRC and said he had spoken with Ethiopian PM Meles, who said Ethiopia was willing to take Nkunda. 4. (C) With respect to the former Armed Forces of Rwanda and Interahamwe, known now as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Kabila said he will deliver a strong message next week in Kisangani that FDLR who either refuse to return to Rwanda or refuse to relocate well away from the border area will face military action. He noted that the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), in cooperation with the UN Mission in DRC (MONUC), are moving units into Eastern Congo to put pressure on the FDLR. Kabila complained, however, that he was not confident that all of MONUC,s partners could deliver on their promises, singling out Belgium in particular. He specifically urged EU member countries to take action against FDLR leadership in Europe who still hold influence with the FDLR in DRC. 5. (C) Kabila said he was satisfied with developments in Ituri, noting its relatively calm atmosphere, and said he expected a final resolution with the last remaining armed group soon. Conversely, he compared North Kivu to a dormant volcano. 6. (C) Kabila called Uganda,s opposition Lord,s Resistance Army (LRA) leader Joseph Kony a &bad fellow8 and said that Ugandan President Museveni had asked him for access to an airstrip in DRC. Kabila explained that he thought his airstrip was not long enough, but said he would soon talk again with Museveni to discuss tactics and next steps on Kony. He referred to Kony as a threat to the region, including Uganda, DRC and the Central African Republic. 7. (C) Kabila said the DRC needed more assistance with internally displaced persons (IDPs) and with disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR), adding that the current DDR program was being covered with GDRC funds not budgeted for DDR. He also explained that the rotation of FARDC units from Eastern Congo would be "systematic," implying that this would include units containing FDLR. 8. (C) President Kabila noted the DRC intended to purchase arms, now that the embargo was lifted and thanked the USG for its help on the UN Security Council Resolution that lifted the embargo. He said the DRC had sent a team to Prague to resolve an arms sales issue. 9. (C) A/S offered condolences for the April 15 plane crash and noted Kabila,s improvements on increasing transparency. She noted Ambassador Garvelink, along with the USG, was prepared to assist and support further economic development in DRC. She stressed the importance and urgency of all stakeholders working together to put the Kony issue to rest. Finally, the A/S highlighted the need to rotate out FARDC units supporting FDLR. RICE |