FOREIGN MINISTER'S FEBRUARY 11 BRIEFING TO AMBASSADORS ON

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINSHASA 000140 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG UN EUN SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER'S FEBRUARY 11 BRIEFING TO AMBASSADORS ON JOINT RWANDAN-DRC OPERATIONS IN THE EAST ¶1. (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs contacted embassy late February 9 to request ambassador's attendance at briefing next day by Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwanke at MFA headquarters. Present at the briefing were ambassadors of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, South Africa, Belgium, the Czech Republic (as EU chair),and the Holy See (as dean of the diplomatic corps). Deputy Foreign Minister for relations with Congolese communities' abroad Colette Tshomba also attended for GDRC, as did senior ministry staff. The media were asked to leave the room when the meeting began at 10:00 am. Minister asks to meet with select ambassadors -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Thambwe began by announcing he had convened the meeting to provide an update on joint Congolese-Rwanda operations in the eastern DRC. In background remarks he described the objective of the operations, which began January 21, as "the destruction of the FDLR as a military force" and noted that the operations had been prompted in part by international criticism of the DRC for having given sanctuary to the FDLR. The DRC's desire to get rid of the CNDP was also a factor. He stated that the 4X4 working group (four presidential representatives from the DRC and Rwanda) had planned the operations in great secrecy in part to avoid negative domestic political fallout and pointed out that if the operations had indeed provoked criticism within the DRC's political elite, most average Congolese supported the effort. As of February 5, 60% of mission has been accomplished -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Minister stated that 60% of the joint operations' objectives had been attained as of February 5. He elaborated: -- The Governor of North Kivu, who prior to January 21 was unable to travel more than 30 km from the capital Goma, could now move freely throughout the province. -- All major roads were open and the distribution of food and other commodities proceeded without impediment. -- All three major arteries in the province had been liberated, i.e., the roadways known as the Rutshuru, Masisi, and Pinga axes. Along all these corridors the FDLR had been defeated or had decided to lay down arms and repatriate to Rwanda; other rebel groups had agreed to become political movements and/or reintegrate into the FARDRC; and CNDP commander Laurent Nkunda had been arrested. A communications unit had been created to inform the population of the status of the joint operations. (Note: Thambwe was probably referring to the MIST team which has been in North Kivu for several weeks. End note.) ¶4. (SBU) Thambwe stated that local leaders ("chefs coutumiers" or traditional village chiefs) had asked that the operations continue. The Governor of North Kivu had begun to restore administrative services in areas formerly controlled by the CNDP. Governors of both North and South Kivu, Thambwe said, had expressed interest in extending the joint operations. Thambwe also noted that the number of FDLR repatriations was up significantly. He referred to "strict compliance" with the rules of war and stated that child soldiers had been turned over to MONUC. The minister acknowledged, however, that not many IDP's had returned home due to fear. On the political front, "synergies" had been created between national deputies from the Kivus, provincial deputies and other political figures. MONUC gives seal of approval -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The GDRC had asked MONUC Force Commander General Babacar Gaye to evaluate the conduct of the joint operations. Per the GDRC's request, MONUC carried out an investigation and found that there were no anomalies and that there had been no collateral victims. Later in the meeting UN SRSG Alan Doss confirmed that the operations had not caused any humanitarian crises and had resulted in few internal displacements. He also noted that all major arteries had been opened. On the military side, Doss said that 2,500 Rwandans had signed up for repatriation and that some CNDP elements had not yet come forward for reintegration into the FARDC. Thambwe stated that UN Special Envoy Obasanjo was arriving in Kinshasa later today and would discuss CNDP reintegration with President Kabila. ¶6. (SBU) For the reasons he had given, Thambwe explained, the two sides would decide today (February 10) on whether to continue the operations for another 10 days, with the Rwandans leaving the Congo no later than the end of February. The official end of the joint KINSHASA 00000140 002 OF 003 operations and the return of Rwandan forces would be commemorated at a ceremony with media coverage. This would happen no later than the end of February when 90% of the mission's objectives will have been reached. ¶7. (SBU) In ending this part of his presentation, Thambwe stated that the 4X4 plan had never called for the relocation of FDLR elements within the DRC. He said there was no money for relocation. He noted there would be a second anti-FDLR operation next month, with DRC forces only. The target of the operation would be the RUD faction, which had shown more willingness to return home than had many other FDLR groups. In closing his remarks on joint operations Thambwe said that "We are in a much better position now than we had thought possible when we began." (Note: In discussing relocation, Thambwe mentioned in passing that at some point there would be a discussion on the return of tens of thousands of Congolese Tutsis now in refugee camps in Rwanda. This is a very delicate issue in the DRC given complicated land tenure disputes that will have to be resolved before the return can take place. End note.) Nkunda and extradition to the DRC -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Thambwe referred to the debate over Rwanda's legal obligations to extradite General Laurent Nkunda to the DRC, mentioning two international instruments from 1966 and 1975. He said Rwanda had initially favored a political solution with Nkunda receiving asylum in a third country (South Africa was mentioned) but that, in a "firm discussion" the DRC had refused, insisting that Nkunda be extradited and brought to Kinshasa. The Rwandans agreed to extradition and the only outstanding issue is agreement on the modalities of his travel to Kinshasa from Goma. The minister noted that a room for Nkunda is being prepared at the Makala prison adding that the general's cell was getting a fresh coat of paint to ensure that the prisoner's human rights were being observed. Thambwe dismissed reports that Nkunda is in poor health or that he might attempt suicide rather than be taken to Kinshasa. Restoration of diplomatic relations with Kigali -------------- -- ¶9. (SBU) The minister ended his presentation with a reaffirmation of the GDRC's intention to reestablish full diplomatic relations with Rwanda. He said agreements for the two countries' respective ambassadors would be approved next month. He also noted that three high-ranking Congolese officials would travel soon to Gisenyi to talk about economic/mining cooperation. Contacts with FDLR leaders overseas -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Thambwe asked those attending if they had questions. The South African ambassador asked if efforts had been undertaken to contact FDLR leaders living overseas to solicit support in ending the fighting. Thambwe replied that the GDRC had urged the Government of Rwanda to use diplomacy in approaching governments of countries where FDLR leaders live to seek leaders' cooperation in asking FDLR soldiers to lay down their arms. (Note: Curiously, Thambwe asserted several times that most FDLR leaders lived in Germany and the United States. He did not mention France, where most FDLR leaders reside, a country with which Rwanda does not have diplomatic relations. End note.) No elections soon; what happens next? -------------- ¶11. (SBU) The papal nuncio expressed satisfaction that the humanitarian situation had not worsened and asked for information on programs to repatriate foreigners and displaced persons. The French ambassador asked if persons reentering the mainstream of political life in the DRC would be given a chance to enjoy fully their rights as citizens of a democratic country by voting soon in local elections. Thambwe stated that unfortunately this would not be possible as there was no money for elections. He stated, however, that efforts would be made to establish an elections calendar and to give all citizens a voice in government. The UK ambassador congratulated the minister for what had been accomplished but wondered what was going to happen next, particularly with regard to the management of mining operations previously in the hands of rebel groups. The minister stated that the government was going to draw up a plan with MONUC but did not offer details. Operations against the LRA -------------- KINSHASA 00000140 003 OF 003 ¶12. (SBU) The ambassador of the Czech Republic asked for a report on joint operations with Uganda against the LRA. Thambwe replied that the Ugandan Defense Minister was arriving in Kinshasa later that day to agree on a date for the end of anti-LRA joint operations. He praised MONUC for its "excellent cooperation." Although the LRA had not been defeated, it had been broken as a homogeneous force and was now split into many different groups over a large, forested area. LRA forces were not heading towards Uganda, however, but towards the south and the Central African Republic. ¶13. (SBU) Comment: Thambwe's intent was clearly to pre-empt speculation and criticism within the international community and to influence its understanding of the joint operations. Some of the information he provided was overly glossy ("90% of our objectives will soon be attained") and manifestly at variance with press reports. Also, he almost certainly downplayed differences with Rwanda and Uganda over withdrawal dates and other issues. Nonetheless, Thambwe represents a distinct break with the DRC's previous foreign minister in that he recognizes the need for communication with the international community and because he is highly articulate. Ambassadors will meet soon to review the Foreign Minister's performance and to divine what is likely to happen in coming days. End comment.