Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KINSHASA249
2009-03-18 15:43:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 18
how-toVZCZCXRO2961 OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN DE RUEHKI #0249 0771543 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 181543Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9315 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
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000249
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 18
UNCLAS KINSHASA 000249
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 18
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.
2. (SBU) During a March 16 briefing, MONUC Goma noted that
Uruguayan reinforcements will be sent to the Pinga area, and that of
the estimated 1,600 FDLR in North Kivu, no fewer than 500 are in and
around Pinga (Note: Later discussions as to why Pinga is seemingly
so important centered on the fact that there are mines nearby and
that it is on the axis leading to Walikale's mines. There was also
an FDLR attack on Pinga on March 11-12. End note).
3. (SBU) It was reported that the FARDC is not making itself
popular with the local population. In Kamituga, illegal barriers
have been set up by the FARDC to tax everyone coming to and from the
market. In Fizi, the four barriers that have been set up are a
joint FARDC-Mai Mai operation. MONUC Deputy Chief of Staff Lt.
Colonel Cunliffe stated forcefully at the briefing that these and
other illegal barriers must be removed by MONUC and that simply
reporting their existence was not acceptable.
4. (SBU) In Katanga village, there was reportedly an argument
between FARDC soldiers and three FDLR cadres, which resulted in the
killing of the FDLR fighters and their bodies being dragged through
the streets in front the entire assembled community. In addition,
civilian sources sent to the MONUC base there relayed that the FDLR
will attack MONUC, and are armed with multiple rocket launchers. It
is believed that FDLR is testing MONUC reaction times. Separately,
the 22 houses burned and the two rapes committed by FDLR in
Bunyakiri a few weeks ago have been confirmed by way of a letter
submitted by the local customary chief.
5. (U) Quoting a MONUC military spokesperson, a local press article
reports that MONUC is launching joint operations with the FARDC
against the FDLR. Separately, local press has also reported that
civil society in Lubero has sounded the alarm with respect to
growing insecurity in the territory, marked by killings of
civilians, burning of homes, and looting, which they attribute to
the FDLR.
GARVELINK
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - MARCH 18
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.
2. (SBU) During a March 16 briefing, MONUC Goma noted that
Uruguayan reinforcements will be sent to the Pinga area, and that of
the estimated 1,600 FDLR in North Kivu, no fewer than 500 are in and
around Pinga (Note: Later discussions as to why Pinga is seemingly
so important centered on the fact that there are mines nearby and
that it is on the axis leading to Walikale's mines. There was also
an FDLR attack on Pinga on March 11-12. End note).
3. (SBU) It was reported that the FARDC is not making itself
popular with the local population. In Kamituga, illegal barriers
have been set up by the FARDC to tax everyone coming to and from the
market. In Fizi, the four barriers that have been set up are a
joint FARDC-Mai Mai operation. MONUC Deputy Chief of Staff Lt.
Colonel Cunliffe stated forcefully at the briefing that these and
other illegal barriers must be removed by MONUC and that simply
reporting their existence was not acceptable.
4. (SBU) In Katanga village, there was reportedly an argument
between FARDC soldiers and three FDLR cadres, which resulted in the
killing of the FDLR fighters and their bodies being dragged through
the streets in front the entire assembled community. In addition,
civilian sources sent to the MONUC base there relayed that the FDLR
will attack MONUC, and are armed with multiple rocket launchers. It
is believed that FDLR is testing MONUC reaction times. Separately,
the 22 houses burned and the two rapes committed by FDLR in
Bunyakiri a few weeks ago have been confirmed by way of a letter
submitted by the local customary chief.
5. (U) Quoting a MONUC military spokesperson, a local press article
reports that MONUC is launching joint operations with the FARDC
against the FDLR. Separately, local press has also reported that
civil society in Lubero has sounded the alarm with respect to
growing insecurity in the territory, marked by killings of
civilians, burning of homes, and looting, which they attribute to
the FDLR.
GARVELINK