KABILA ENGAGES DIP CORPS ON MONUC, ELECTIONS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001043

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/30/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO ECON CG
SUBJECT: KABILA ENGAGES DIP CORPS ON MONUC, ELECTIONS AND
SECURITY ISSUES

Classified By: Ambassador William J. Garvelink for reasons 1.4 (b) and
(d)

(C) 1. President Kabila convoked a broad group of ambassadors
on November 24 to share his views on MONUC, security and
elections. Participants included ambassadors from UN Security
Council, SADC and CEEC countries, as well as Belgium, the EU,
AU and MONUC. Kabila called the meeting to clarify his
position on these three topics and correct any wrong
impressions. On MONUC, Kabila stressed that while he wanted
to begin preparations for MONUC's withdrawal before next
summer's fiftieth anniversary of the DRC's independence, he
was not asking the UN to leave "today." Kabila noted
improvements to the security situation, but that Kimia II
would continue until the goal of ridding the DRC of the FDLR
was fully met. General elections will be held as mandated by
the Constitution; the impression that the government of the
DRC (GDRC) was not taken steps for planning elections was
simply incorrect. Kabila also took the opportunity to note
his displeasure that financing assurances had not been
confirmed at the November 18 Paris Club tour d'horizon
meeting. End Summary.

MONUC Mandate Renewal
--------------


2. (C) Kabila began by noting that the current UN
peacekeeping presence in DRC is now going on eleven years--
initiated during a period of war and at the request of the
GDRC. He stressed that his government had not requested the
immediate departure of MONUC. Rather, he wanted to study the
situation and begin to review possible reductions and mandate
changes in light of the current security environment.
Referencing his desire (which has been previously noted to
USG officials) to make an announcement regarding MONUC's
withdrawal before the DRC's 50th anniversary of independence
on 30 June, 2010, Kabila highlighted the need to begin now to
prepare for MONUC's departure. However, he clearly stated
that he was not requesting MONUC leave "today." Together,
Kabila added, we can begin to take the necessary steps.


Security
--------------


3. (C) Kabila described an improved security situation in
eastern DRC since the beginning of the year, highlighting the
success of joint DRC-Rwandan operations. Kimia II has
weakened and scattered the enemy, though the mission was not
yet complete. Kimia II would continue, stated Kabila, until
the FDLR was terminated. This includes the return to Rwanda
of FDLR rebels. This has always been and continues to be the
GDRC's position. MONUC's position was not at odds with that
of the GDRC. Kabila highlighted the importance of strong
coordination with the government of Rwanda, particularly in
light of constant rumors.


4. (C) The recent conflicts in Equateur province were the
result of ethnic tensions, according to Kabila, with serious
consequences for the civilian population. Kabila finished by
describing the overall security situation in the country as
calm-- citing, in particular, no security issues in Kinshasa
or the Kasais. At the end of the meeting and following
interventions by several ambassadors, Kabila noted that
Security Sector Reform had been hampered to date by a lack of
coordination and a common vision.


Elections
--------------


5. (C) Kabila began by noting that plans for elections had
"not moved." He knew there was the impression that the GDRC
Q"not moved." He knew there was the impression that the GDRC
was not taking required steps to plan for elections-- this,
however, was not the case. Elections would be held as
mandated by the Constitution. Elections were one of two key
agenda items, for example, at the inter-institutional meeting
planned for November 25 in Mbuji-Mayi. While noting that the
GDRC would not "take risks" with the Constitution regarding
elections, Kabila did concede that the timing of local
elections reflected a "little contradiction." Kabila asked
that MONUC be patient regarding GDRC planning for elections,
but also asked if MONUC would still be in the DRC to help
support the elections logistically. The organization of
elections is, noted Kabila, a question of national
sovereignty. Kabila stated his desire to have the Congolese

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state organize the next general elections, which would be the
first time the DRC had the capacity to do so independently.


Displeasure over Paris Club
--------------


6. (C) Showing clear displeasure, Kabila noted he was
disappointed that the Paris Club had not confirmed financing
assurances at the November 18 meeting of the Paris Club. The
DRC had done what was required on the renegotiation of the
Chinese contracts; now donors were putting in place new
conditions. (Note: Financing assurances were confirmed by all
Paris Club creditors on November 25. The delay was a result
of concerns raised by the government of Canada regarding
certain investment disputes. End Note)


Dip Corps Comments
--------------


7. (C) Ivorian, French, South African, UK, Swedish, and
Russian Ambassadors made brief interventions, largely focused
on the issue of MONUC's mandate renewal. UK noted continued
British support for elections, highlighted the importance to
the UK government of the upcoming Copenhagen summit on
climate change and pressed for enhanced GDRC efforts to fight
impunity and address sexual and gender based violence. (Note:
Kabila noted while environment/conservation issues are of
critical importance to the DRC, he would not be attending the
Copenhagen summit; the GDRC will likely be represented by the
Minister of Environment. End Note) Noting that that France
would "have the pen" on the MONUC mandate renewal, French
Ambassador stressed the need for an "intelligent" MONUC
withdrawal plan, including initial refocusing towards greater
capacity building. French Ambassador also noted the need for
a greater focus on economic development as part of security
efforts in eastern DRC. Russian Ambassador concurred with his
French counterpart on the need for a well thought-through
plan for eventual withdrawal of MONUC, but that planning
could begin before next year's independence anniversary.
MONUC noted that initial discussions had already begun
between SRSG Doss and Kabila on the mandate renewal. On
Dongo (Equateur),MONUC noted continued support for the
GDRC's efforts to address the on-going conflict.

8. (C) COMMENT: Kabila's principal message to the assembled
Ambassadors seemed to be threefold. First, he clearly wants
to be able to announce that MONUC is preparing to leave
before the June 30, 2010 independence anniversary
celebrations. At the same time, he recognizes that MONUC
will need to stay for the immediate term; his statement that
he was not asking MONUC to leave "today" appeared to try to
reassure key donors of this sentiment. Kabila's statements
on elections also appeared to be aimed at trying to reassure
donors that, at a minimum, general elections would be held as
mandated by the Constitution in 2011. Finally, Kabila also
wanted to highlighted that while the security situation in
the east had improved and changed, military operations were
not over yet and would continue. Appearing distracted at
times, Kabila showed visible annoyance when referring to the
Paris Club meeting. END COMMENT
GARVELINK