Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA1101
2009-12-17 13:48:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:  

DURING DRC VISIT, ICC PRESIDENT CALLS FOR BOSCO'S

Tags:  PREL PGOV KJUS PHUM CG 
pdf how-to read a cable
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ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 171348Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0447
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 0099
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/Q USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RA MOLESWORTH UK
C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001101 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS PHUM CG
SUBJECT: DURING DRC VISIT, ICC PRESIDENT CALLS FOR BOSCO'S
ARREST

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

ICC, Bosco, and Kabila
----------------------

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001101

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/17/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KJUS PHUM CG
SUBJECT: DURING DRC VISIT, ICC PRESIDENT CALLS FOR BOSCO'S
ARREST

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

ICC, Bosco, and Kabila
--------------


1. (U) During a keynote speech at a December 10-12
International Parliamentary Conference on Justice in the DRC
and the Great Lakes Region, ICC President Sang-Hyun Song
reiterated calls for the GDRC to transfer former CNDP chief
of staff Bosco Ntaganda to the Hague. Song underscored that
"the question of justice and peace is not abstract,"
maintaining that the ICC had contributed to both in the DRC,
Uganda, and the Central African Republic. He added that with
time, justice, whether administered by national or
international jurisdictions, can contribute to peace
throughout the region. While in Kinshasa, Song repeated this
message in meetings with the Foreign Minister, MONUC, and
members of the diplomatic community.


2. (U) On December 13-15 Song traveled to Bunia in Ituri,
the area in which Bosco served as the chief of staff for the
rebel group Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and the area in
which the ICC accused Bosco of conscripting child soldiers in

2002. Addressing a crowd of 400, Song explained that the
GDRC had requested ICC assistance in apprehending war
criminals from the area, including Bosco, and three others
who are already in the Hague -- Thomas Lubanga, Mathieu
Ngudjolo, and Germain Katanga.


3. (U) Communications Minister Lambert Mende reiterated that
the government's priority remained stabilizing the Eastern
DRC. Stressing that the GDRC would honor its commitments to
the Rome Statute, Mende said the GDRC had already informed
the ICC of a timetable on how it would proceed with this
issue. In February, when asked about the ICC indictment
against Bosco, President Kabila emphasized that securing
peace in the Kivus would take precedence over justice.


4. (C) In a follow-up conversation with polcouns, Manya
Moupondo, a GDRC negotiator with Eastern DRC rebel groups,
provided insight into President Kabila's thinking on the
"Bosco issue." Moupondo maintained that Kabila was not at
all opposed to the ICC apprehending and transferring Bosco to
the Hague. However, according to Moupondo, Kabila wanted to
have the entire process carefully "pre-arranged" within the
DRC and with its international partners. Moupondo stressed
that arresting Bosco would be very politically sensitive for
Kabila. She added that, as with most issues, Kabila's
decision-making was very deliberative; he liked his advisors
to present him with step-by-step procedures to reach a
desired outcome. If Bosco gets spooked, he will clearly take
up arms, in Moupondo's opinion (Note: In January, as part of
the CNDP's agreement to lay down its arms and become a
political movement, the FARDC integrated Bosco with the rank
of general. There are widespread and persistent rumors that
Bosco exercises a command role in the Kimia II military
operations. End note).

MLC Supporters "Ambush" ICC President
--------------


5. (SBU) During a December 11 breakfast meeting with
Ambassador and visiting S/WCI Ambassador Rapp, Song said
that, during the question and answer period following his
presentation at the conference, a string of deputies from the
opposition Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC)
bombarded him with pointed criticism about the ICC's arrest
Qbombarded him with pointed criticism about the ICC's arrest
of former DRC Vice-President and MLC leader Jean-Pierre
Bemba, who is currently under ICC custody. Song added it was
clear that the Bemba supporters had taken advantage of Song's
presence to carry off a publicity stunt on their home turf.
GARVELINK