GDRC-OWNED AND LEASED-PROPERTIES

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001113 DEPT FOR DS/OFM, AF/EX, AF/C SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OFDP PREL CG SUBJECT: GDRC-OWNED AND LEASED-PROPERTIES IN THE UNITED STATES REF: A. STATE 125952 ¶B. STATE 83255 ¶C. KINSHASA 758 ¶D. SCOTT-GARVELINK E-MAIL OF 11/14/2009 ¶E. USUN 264 ¶F. 08 STATE 125526 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Ambassador delivered demarche per ref (A) to Minister of Foreign Affairs on December 17. Foreign Minister replied he was aware of the untenable condition of the GDRC properties in Washington and had been directed by President Kabila to take immediate action to correct deficiencies. He also acknowledged rental arrears owed by GDRC Mission to the UN in New York and stated he had been in touch with the Prime Minister's office regarding payment. Although impossible to predict, GDRC may send allocated money to get through the immediate crisis but is unlikely to finish repairs or pay off all arrears at this time. End summary. ¶2. (U) Per ref (A) Ambassador Garvelink met with Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwanke December 17 to deliver talking points on the condition of the three GDRC properties in Washington and on rental arrears at DRCUN in New York. Ambassador was accompanied by management counselor, as well as political counselor (meeting also dealt with political issues reported on via septel). Washington properties -------------- ¶3. (U) Foreign Minister responded he had recently spoken to Congolese ambassador to the U.S. Faida Mitufu about the problem, and that President Kabila is also aware of this matter and has directed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs give priority to renovating the dilapidated properties. ¶4. (U) Minister also said he has already discussed the issue of funding with Prime Minister Adolphe Muzito and that the PM told him funding will be made available soon. The MFA, Thambwe said, has directed Ambassador Mutifu to contact several contractors to get bids for repairing the properties and he said he expects renovations to begin in early February. Throughout the meeting Tambwe emphasized he is aware that the condition of the GDRC structures in Washington is unsuitable for the area, and he will send a note verbale to Ambassador Garvelink with the specifics concerning the renovation as soon as he has the details. DRCUN rental arrears -------------- ¶5. (U) On the subject of rental arrears by the GDRC Mission to USUN, the FM acknowledged the $140,000 owed the landlord and stated that his government is currently in the process of lifting a hold on this payment which had been held up during recent negotiations with the IMF. The Foreign Minister said that he would contact the Prime Minister immediately to ensure that the money will be freed up, and he would include this information in the same note verbale along with the Washington property renovation details. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: The message has been delivered, but whether action will be taken or not remains to be seen. The GDRC operates on the squeaky wheel principle, and may throw just enough money at these problems to get beyond the current crisis, but probably not enough to complete the projects or satisfy all rental arrears. GARVELINK