EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 25

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000176

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - FEBRUARY 25


1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of
spot information from various sources. This report is not
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be
confirmed at this time.

RDF Departure Ceremony
--------------


2. (SBU) A large crowd at the Goma Stadium witnessed the February
25 ceremony marking the formal withdrawal of RDF troops from the
DRC. According to estimates by Goma PolOff, approximately 1,500 RDF
and 300-400 FARDC troops attended the ceremony.


3. (SBU) The GDRC and GoR Ministers of Defense and Ministers of
Foreign Affairs addressed the crowd, as well as the North Kivu
Governor and John Numbi, Head of the DRC National Police. All the
speakers emphasized the successful nature of the operations, noting
that FDLR effectiveness had been greatly diminished and calling on
remaining FDLR elements "to go home." Several speakers stressed the
spirit of new cooperation between Kinshasa and Kigali and the
restoration of peace in the region. Numbi acknowledged the support
of MONUC, while several other speakers said that the responsibility
for future security in the region lay with MONUC.

Security Situation
--------------


4. (SBU) MONUC reported that FARDC and FDLR elements clashed at
Kashebere on February 22, when the FDLR attempted to reenter the
village. The FARDC repulsed the rebels. The RDF had already
withdrawn from the area when the firefight took place. A Goma
contact, with good sources in the area, told Goma PolOff that there
have been similar FARDC-FDLR skirmishes in other villages in recent
days. The FARDC has generally defended the villages and maintained
its positions.


5. (SBU) Following the RDF withdrawal, MONUC and FARDC will return
to the long-planned Operation Kimia. MONUC has trained 11 FARDC
battalions for the operation, and will deploy a company of UN troops
alongside each FARDC battalion in North and South Kivu.


6. (SBU) The operation will have three phases: "Phase 0," which has
already begun, involving regroupment and redeployment of MONUC and
FARDC troops to vulnerable areas; "Phase 1," which will focus on
protection and prevention to continue as long as needed; and "Phase
2," which will commence after 30 days, gradually stepping up
military pressure on the FDLR over a four-month period.

Integration Issues
--------------


7. (SBU) MONUC estimated that, since January 4, a total of 19,256
members of armed groups have entered the integration process,
including 4,414 CNDP, approximately 4,000 PARECO, and the remainder
various Mai Mai groups. DDRRR, during the same timeframe, has
processed 1,256 individuals, including 489 ex-combatants, for
repatriation to Rwanda.


8. (SBU) Comment: Many observers, who doubted that the RDF would
leave by the end of February deadline, have become believers. The
consequences are uncertain, especially as FDLR forces have
attempted, with increasing frequency, to take back lost territory.
Moreover, South Kivu, with the largest FDLR concentration in the
region, remains untouched by the operation. Few believe that the
FARDC has transformed overnight into a competent fighting machine,
but it has improved its performance recently. Perhaps the most
hopeful consequence stemming from the operations has been an
improved image of Rwanda in the Kivus, which will hopefully
facilitate deeper and broader DRC-Rwandan cooperation. End Comment.


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