DRC-RWANDAN "4+4" COMMUNIQUE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000306

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS CG RW
SUBJECT: DRC-RWANDAN "4+4" COMMUNIQUE


1. (SBU) The DRC and Rwandan Foreign Ministers met in the "4+4"
format in Kinshasa March 27-28. Embassy Kigali has obtained a copy
of the joint communiqu from the meeting; the original English
version is at paragraph 2. Most notably, the document reaffirms
agreement between the ministers for an immediate exchange of
ambassadors, for the two countries' Ministers of Justice to meet to
formulate a legal framework for Laurent Nkunda's extradition, and
for a Heads of State meeting.


2. (SBU) Begin text of communique:

Joint Communique


1. On March 27-28, 2009, the delegation of the Democratic Republic
of the Congo and the delegation of the Republic of Rwanda led
respectively by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Demorcratic
Republic of Congo, His Excellency Alexis Thambwe Mwamba, and
Honourable Rosemary Museminali, of Rwanda, met at the Congolese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kinshasa;


2. The meeting was a follow up of the previous bilateral meetings
held in Kinshasa, Kigali, Goma and Rubavu repectively between the
two countries;


3. The Head of the DRC delegation welcomed and thanked the Rwandan
delegation for their participation in the meeting which demonstrates
the importance they attach to the on-going process of
re-establishing peace and stability in the region and the promotion
of bilateral relations;


4. The Head of the Rwandan delegation expressed gratitude for the
warm welcome and hospitality accorded to her delegation;


5. The meeting was briefed on the progress of military operations
against ex-FAR/Interahamwe and the integration process of CNDP,
PARECO and other armed groups in the FARDC after operation Umoja
Wetu;


6. The two parties stressed the need to pursue ex-FAR/Interahamwe
still scattered over the world;


7. The two parties agreed to set up a permanent joint
sub-commission on defense and security in view to exchange
information and act on security maters of common interest;


8. The two parties committed themselves to exchange their
ambassadors immediately in view of advancing diplomatic relations;


9. The two parties recommended a meeting at the level of the Heads
of State to consolidate the achievements of the ongoing bilateral
talks between the two countries;


10. They discussed issues related to the common border. The two
parties agreed that experts will meet Apri1 16-18 to review the
situation and provide recommendations on the way forward;


11. The 4+4 meeting noted the legal complexities in both the DRC and
Rwanda regarding the transfer of Laurent Nkunda. They recommended
that their respective ministers of justice meet and give the 4+4
legal advice on the issue.

Done at Kinshasa on the March 28, 2009 in English and French both
languages being equally authentic. English remains the original
language of the original text.

End text of communique.


3. (SBU) Comment: Discussions about restoring diplomatic relations
have been on-going since the initial 4+4 meeting in early December

2008. While this development is extremely welcome, the
international community should continue to press the two countries
to carry through with the process. It is unclear to us what the way
forward is on the "Nkunda problem." We fully understand the
complexities of any extradition process, but the Congolese political
class remains eager to showcase the former CNDP leader in Kinshasa,
while the Rwandans undoubtedly see advantages to keeping him in
their custody. Despite these relatively minor differences, the
overall balance in DRC-Rwandan relations is overwhelmingly positive.
It is even more so when considering that these two countries have
until recently supported, tacitly or openly, groups working to
destabilize each other. In less than four months, they have not
only committed to restore diplomatic relations, but have designed
and carried out a joint military operation to rid the region of many
of its negative forces. End Comment.

GARVELINK