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