Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA180
2009-02-26 13:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS CONTINUES CRITICISM OF MONUC
how-toVZCZCXRO3326 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0180 0571343 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 261343Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9242 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2263
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000180
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL MOPS PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS CONTINUES CRITICISM OF MONUC
REFS: A) KINSHASA 172 B) KINSHASA 128
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000180
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL MOPS PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS CONTINUES CRITICISM OF MONUC
REFS: A) KINSHASA 172 B) KINSHASA 128
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.
MSF: MONUC Should Be More Pro-active
--------------
2. (SBU) PolCouns and PolOff recently met with Doctors Without
Borders ("MSF: Medecins Sans Frontieres") to discuss Operation
Lightning Thunder (OLT) in Haut Ulele District. Hakim Chkam, MSF
Witness Protection Officer, echoed recent public criticism (ref B)
of MONUC's lack of civilian protection capabilities against LRA
reprisals. Chkam maintained that even taking into account MONUC's
minimal resources on the ground, the UN organization "was not doing
enough." For example, MONUC carries out no patrols, which it
regularly does in North Kivu. In addition, MONUC remains almost
exclusively at its base outside of Dungu (ref A). MONUC, according
to Chkam, should be more pro-active, for instance, in helping to
repair and secure critical road axes in the area from Dungu,
Faradje, and Doruma. Chkam stressed that just because MONUC had not
been involved in the planning stage of OLT, this was not an excuse
for inaction in protecting civilians.
3. (SBU) Chkam said that, while the magnitude of LRA attacks had
diminished, the group continued to launch small-scale attacks almost
daily. The remaining LRA elements, while dispersed, are, in Chkam's
opinion, "stronger than ever." Self-defense groups have sprung up
throughout the area, most notably in Dungu and Bagandi. When the
UPDF withdraws from the DRC, Chkam predicted that MONUC and the
FARDC would attempt to launch a Rudia II. Chkam praised the
behavior of FARDC and Republican Guard stationed in the region,
noting the DRC forces were not predatory. However, he added that
they were also not active in protecting the civilian population.
4. (SBU) Chkam said that OLT was employing the same tactics that
were used during Operation Iron Fist against the LRA. While the
operation had disrupted LRA communications capabilities and reduced
supplies, the LRA was bidding its time, brutalizing the local
population and increasing recruiting efforts.
Humanitarian Situation
--------------
5. (SBU) Chkam characterized the humanitarian situation as
deteriorating. The local population was unable to access fields due
to the fear of LRA reprisals. Food reserves had therefore dropped,
and hospitals continued to be targets, as the LRA seeks to obtain
medical supplies.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL MOPS PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS CONTINUES CRITICISM OF MONUC
REFS: A) KINSHASA 172 B) KINSHASA 128
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.
MSF: MONUC Should Be More Pro-active
--------------
2. (SBU) PolCouns and PolOff recently met with Doctors Without
Borders ("MSF: Medecins Sans Frontieres") to discuss Operation
Lightning Thunder (OLT) in Haut Ulele District. Hakim Chkam, MSF
Witness Protection Officer, echoed recent public criticism (ref B)
of MONUC's lack of civilian protection capabilities against LRA
reprisals. Chkam maintained that even taking into account MONUC's
minimal resources on the ground, the UN organization "was not doing
enough." For example, MONUC carries out no patrols, which it
regularly does in North Kivu. In addition, MONUC remains almost
exclusively at its base outside of Dungu (ref A). MONUC, according
to Chkam, should be more pro-active, for instance, in helping to
repair and secure critical road axes in the area from Dungu,
Faradje, and Doruma. Chkam stressed that just because MONUC had not
been involved in the planning stage of OLT, this was not an excuse
for inaction in protecting civilians.
3. (SBU) Chkam said that, while the magnitude of LRA attacks had
diminished, the group continued to launch small-scale attacks almost
daily. The remaining LRA elements, while dispersed, are, in Chkam's
opinion, "stronger than ever." Self-defense groups have sprung up
throughout the area, most notably in Dungu and Bagandi. When the
UPDF withdraws from the DRC, Chkam predicted that MONUC and the
FARDC would attempt to launch a Rudia II. Chkam praised the
behavior of FARDC and Republican Guard stationed in the region,
noting the DRC forces were not predatory. However, he added that
they were also not active in protecting the civilian population.
4. (SBU) Chkam said that OLT was employing the same tactics that
were used during Operation Iron Fist against the LRA. While the
operation had disrupted LRA communications capabilities and reduced
supplies, the LRA was bidding its time, brutalizing the local
population and increasing recruiting efforts.
Humanitarian Situation
--------------
5. (SBU) Chkam characterized the humanitarian situation as
deteriorating. The local population was unable to access fields due
to the fear of LRA reprisals. Food reserves had therefore dropped,
and hospitals continued to be targets, as the LRA seeks to obtain
medical supplies.
GARVELINK