GDRC Introduces MR Passports; Threatens Retaliation against

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000346 Dept for AF/C Lamora, CA/VO/F Urbanic, CA/FPP Ledesma-Leese, and CA/EX Boettcher E.O. 12958: DECL: N/A TAGS: CASC CMGT CVIS ASEC OTRA PREL CG SUBJECT: GDRC Introduces MR Passports; Threatens Retaliation against Embassies that Refuse Official Travelers Ref: Kinshasa 0017 ¶1. See action request at para. 6. ¶2. On March 30, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Foreign Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba convoked the diplomatic corps to announce the introduction of new machine readable (MR) passports beginning April 1. The passports come in four categories: diplomatic, official, tourist, and a new type, "pilgrim" (French "pelerin"). GDRC embassies and consulates abroad will no longer be permitted to issue passports; the only issuing authority will be the foreign ministry in Kinshasa. All current passports will expire September 30, 2009. Current diplomatic and service passports are valid until May 31, 2009. ¶3. Thambwe promised that new procedures will be put in place to speed processing of passport applications, which currently can take as long as six months, although he did not say how long the new process would take. Thambwe also said the MFA would create an office to follow up with Embassies who refuse official Congolese travelers. He said the DRC would retaliate tit for tat against those Embassies. ¶4. Western Embassies, with the exception of Belgium, have said they will accept the new passports, which solve the problems associated with previous versions of the DRC passport (see reftel). Specifically, the passports provide user-unique numbers and a space for travelers to sign their names. (The Belgians are checking to make sure the serial numbers are not recycled.) ¶5. Comment: The diplomatic corps was unsure how to take Thambwe's threat to retaliate for visa refusals. Senior MFA officials have admitted that the GDRC struggles to control the issuance of diplomatic notes and passports. As a rough estimate, posts finds that about 20 per cent of Congolese G-2 applicants are not entitled to official status. The GDRC, moreover, often submits applications after the fact, that is, after the reason for official travel has ended. If Thambwe's threat is real, it could quickly complicate tensions between the GDRC and the international community. End comment. ¶6. Action request: Post has never encountered "pilgrim passports" before but cannot find a reason to refuse to issue a visa in this new category of passport. According to the GDRC, these passports are designed for missionaries, priests, and pastors in Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and indigenous religious groups. Post would appreciate Departmental guidance on whether to accept the "pilgrim" passports. End request. Garvelink