Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BRUSSELS125
2009-01-28 18:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:  

BELGIUM AND THE DRC: RELATIONS RENEWED BUT

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS CG RW BE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0005
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBS #0125/01 0281822
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 281822Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8520
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDHN/DIA DH WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000125 

SIPDIS

STATE PASS EUR/WE, AF/C LAMORA, WYCOFF AND LEADER, AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS CG RW BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM AND THE DRC: RELATIONS RENEWED BUT
CRITICAL OF RWANDA-DRC COOP

REF: A. JOYCE LEADER EMAIL ON GREAT LAKES CONTACT GROUP
OF JANUARY 26

B. 2009

Classified By: Acting DCM Richard Eason for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 000125

SIPDIS

STATE PASS EUR/WE, AF/C LAMORA, WYCOFF AND LEADER, AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM MOPS CG RW BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM AND THE DRC: RELATIONS RENEWED BUT
CRITICAL OF RWANDA-DRC COOP

REF: A. JOYCE LEADER EMAIL ON GREAT LAKES CONTACT GROUP
OF JANUARY 26

B. 2009

Classified By: Acting DCM Richard Eason for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) Summary: PolOff and PolIntern met January 28 with
Belgian MFA Africa contacts to discuss the restoration of
Belgium - DR Congo relations, mineral extraction issues, and
the arrest of Laurent Nkunda. The PMs of Belgium and the DRC
issued a statement January 24 that reestablished relations.
Belgium has already received agrement for Ambassador Struye
who should arrive in Kinshasa in mid-February. Foreign
Ministers De Gucht and Thamwe are likely to meet in Addis
Ababa at the end of the month. Belgium has not yet prepared
its own position on mineral extraction, but will do so prior
to the February 2 E.U. meeting now scheduled to adopt a
common position. Belgium approves of a regional approach
that would increase transparency in the mineral exploitation
industry, but is not yet certain what organization is best
suited to monitor the sector. Belgium is ready to support
efforts through its intimate knowledge of mine sites and
related information. The GOB is in a somewhat difficult
position as two Belgian operated companies (one U.S. owned)
were cited in the Expert's Report as failing on due
diligence. The MFA would like to consider hosting the next
Contact Group Meeting once leadership has been named in State
AF if there were no objections.


2. (C) Belgium is very concerned by the lack of transparency
and information supplied to the international community on
recent DRC-Rwanda military actions against the FDLR. They
noted two recent exercises, and commented that MONUC at least
should have been informed. They asked if the U.S. had
information, whether Washington was supporting such actions,
and mentioned a possible statement supporting military action
against the FDLR from a U.S. ambassador. The GOB strongly
believes any military action will lead to severe civilian
casualties as the FDLR is well integrated into local

villages. Belgium also expressed concern on Nkunda's arrest
and the likelihood of successful CNDP integration into the
DRC military. They received a telephone call today informing
them soldiers loyal to Nkunda abruptly left an integration
ceremony this morning in Rumangabo. The EU will be very
hesitant to participate in any meetings where the new CNDP
leader Bosco is present, due to his indictment by the ICC for
war crimes. End Summary.

Belgian - Congo Relations Back to Normal
--------------


3. (C) Belgium and the DRC agreed to return to normal
relations January 24, issuing a joint statement signed by
both prime ministers. Belgian Ambassador Struye has already
received agrement, and will arrive in Brussels from
Washington next week and in Kinshasa the second week of
February. FM De Gucht and FM Thamwe are expected to meet on
the margins of meetings in Addis Ababa January 31 or February
1-2. The Belgians are waiting for the Congolese to name a
new ambassador, a delay they attribute to internal issues in
the GoDRC. Our contacts stated that it was obvious the
Congolese had sought renewed ties for some time, a signal
sent by early agrement. When queried on the PM-led
rapprochement between the two countries, that apparently did
not include FM De Gucht, our contact said it was indeed the
PM's office and began with Leterme. Even though the
Congolese had officially ended diplomatic relations in May
2008, the former Belgian ambassador did not leave Kinshasa
until December 18, 2008.

Belgian Position on Mineral Extraction Regime
--------------


4. (C) In response to ref email, MFA contacts said the GOB is
gearing up for the rescheduled February 2 EU meeting to
develop a coordinated response on the regulation of
extractive resources in the DRC. The Belgians have not yet
finalized their internal position, but said they would
forward a brief to Ambassador Leader either prior to or on
the day of the EU gathering. Our contacts said Belgium
remains interested in some form of regulation, but were
uncertain which international body could best manage this
issue. Surprisingly, the Belgians thought the CPGL was not
the appropriate body; they have always supported the CPGL as
a pet project, but the CPGL is already involved in
agriculture and banking, and more responsibilities would be
too ambitious for the CPGL. They mentioned the International
Conference of the Great Lake Region and COMESA as

possibilities. They then added that the Tri-Partite Plus may
have a place, noting there was enough work on this matter for
everyone. The GOB wants to encourage information sharing and
overall transparency, a task appropriate at a regional or
international community level.


5. (C) What the GOB could best contribute in this discussion,
s information and intelligence on the mining sites from
their "treasure trove" of historical, geological, and
geographical information. They also have NGOs on the ground
mapping out who controls which mines. Belgium would like to
see the legitimization of the mining and addedvalue in a
Congolese refining industry. Our ontacts mentioned Belgian
experience on the ground in Ktanga that may be applicable in
the Kivus. One challenge for Belgium relating to extractive
resources, is that two Belgian companies, Traxys (Note: U.S.
pension fund owned. End Note) and Trade Met are operating in
the eastern DRC. This is somewhat damaging to the Belgian
reputation because they were named in the Expert's Report for
not conducting due diligence. The GOB would like to see the
companies involved and push them to be more transparent in
their business practices.

Humanitarian Concerns in DRC and U.S. Position?
-------------- --


6. (C) Our Contacts repeated previous concerns that joint
DRC-Rwanda military cooperation against the FDLR would lead
to humanitarian problems. Our contacts again asked if there
was a U.S. position, and said they would instruct their
Embassy in Washington to follow up. One of them asked
rhetorically if our ambassador in Kinshasa had told the
Congolese to aggressively take military action in eliminating
the FDLR, vaguely referring to a US ambassador's statement to
that effect. He then strongly cautioned that that any purely
military solution would lead to significant civilian
casualties, as the FDLR is integrated into civilian
communities. Our contacts also asked if the U.S. had any
information on two reported military actions against the FDLR
that were not reported to MONUC nor other members of the
international community. Belgium is concerned that MONUC is
not involved or informed by the two governments.


7. (C) We asked about the Belgian take on Nkunda's arrest.
Our contacts said they expected Nkunda to remain under house
arrest for some time in Rwanda. The Belgians see Nkunda's
arrest as a public affairs optic that might help assuage the
negative press that could ensue from Rwandan soldiers on
Congolese soil. The post-Nkunda CNDP led by ICC indicted
Bosco will be a challenge for the Europeans; they will not
participate in gatherings where an individual with an
international arrest warrant is present. While we were
discussing these issues, a call came in from an MFA contact
on the ground in eastern Congo. He said a ceremony for
disarmament and integration of a CNDP unit in Rumangabo ended
when CNDP soldiers who remain loyal to Nkunda abruptly
departed. The GOB is concerned with this apparent refusal to
integrate and would welcome Washington's view.

Next Contact Group Meeting
--------------


8. (C) Our contacts said they were not aware of information
on the next Contact Group Meeting. They noted Washington was
the expected host for the next meeting, and assumed we were
probably waiting until State leadership had been named. The
MFA Africa Director said he would like Belgium to hold the
next meeting, once people were in place in Washington and
interlocutors were ready.

BUSH
.