EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 24

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000403

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - APRIL 24


1. The items contained in this report consist rincipally of spot
information from various soures. This report is not exhaustive,
nor can all te information contained therein be confirmed at ths
time.

Security Situation
--------------


2. (SBU) Based on movements of LRA cadre, MOUC believes the rebels
are regrouping near Farade and Bitima. Another group of
approximately 130 which could include Kony, is reportedly encamped
on the eastern fringes of Garamba Park.


3. (SU) In Ituri, FPJC troops killed 7 FARDC soldiers i an ambush
near Tchomia on the western shore of ake Edward. There were no
reports of FPJC casualies. (Comment: although a sideshow to the
anti-DLR and anti-LRA operations, the campaign against rmed groups
in Ituri frequently involves combat nd casualties. End comment.)


South Kivu Integation
--------------


4. (SBU) The pac of integration in South Kivu remains slow, but
ai Mai groups continue to trickle in to regroupmen centers. At
the Luberizi camp, a total of 319 cadres have arrived, incluing 93
Zaboloni Mai Mai and 226 Shikito Mai Mai. Twenty-four child
soldiers were among the combaants. MONUC intends to open another
regroupmentcenter at Kalehe on April 28. The FRF still refuse to
join the integration process, delaying the panned opening of a camp
at Mwenge.

SRSG Doss n the FDLR, Human Rights, the CNDP, and SSR
-------------- --------------


5. (SBU) Following an April 23 visit to Lufuo, RSG Alan Doss
reported to Goma-based diplomats tat the FARDC had pushed the FDLR
out of the townand that most residents had returned home.
(Commnt: it is doubtful that the FDLR ever intended to ccupy
Lufuo, a town with a population of 14,000. End comment.) Doss
noted that the FDLR practice "tactics of fear" in the region,
telegraphing is retribution intentions ahead of attacks in an
ffort to terrorize the population. MONUC had recetly moved its
base out of Lufuo to Kurumba (popultion of 60,000),which has also
been threatened by the FDLR, but has now moved a contingent back
into Lufuo. Doss and other observers speculate that some of the
FDLR fighters may have commercial motivations. They dominated
commerce in the area until they were pushed back into the forests;
many local residents owe them money, and the FDLR may be reminding
them that payment is still due.


6. (SBU) While the FDLR remains capable of raids and terror, Doss
said it has not reoccupied many of the areas it dominated before
Operation Umoja Wetu. (Comment: this may not apply to the more
remote areas north of Walikale. End comment.) Doss believes there
will be more reprisals and acknowledges that the FDLR will not
disappear as a result of Kimia II. Nevertheless, action against the
rebels is essential to break their hold on large parts of the Kivus
and to cement improved DRC-Rwanda relations.


7. (SBU) Doss said he had spoken with FARDC General Amuli about
FARDC abuses against the population. Amuli, according to Doss,
recognized that the GDRC is fighting a counter-insurgency, which
would not succeed without the support of the local population. Some
commanders (probably a reference to Colonel Delphin) are notorious
for perpetrating abuses.


8. (SBU) According to Doss, non-payment of salaries remains the
most pressing problem in the FARDC. Doss suggested that EUSEC might
encourage distribution of pay at the company or battalion level. In
Doss' opinion, the current practice of disbursing the entire payroll
to brigade commanders allows for too many opportunities for graft
and delay. The next priority should be to encourage the FARDC to
return to barracks, with weapons locked up except when deployed.


9. (SBU) CHOD General Etumba told Doss that he was prepared to
restart training for the FARDC in July, and was prepared for a
six-month training cycle for many of the recently integrated troops.
Doss agreed that continuing operations against the FDLR should not
divert the FARDC from the need to implement Security Sector Reform
(SSR). Doss said he would seek trainers from Swahili-speaking
countries, as it is the most common language for troops in the
Eastern DRC. He noted that the UNSC has provided funding and
authorization to immediately begin SSR. (Comment: SSR came off
track when the CNDP emerged as a threat, and donors should not allow
the GDRC to use the FDLR as an excuse for further procrastination.

KINSHASA 00000403 002 OF 002


End comment.)


10. (SBU) Reporting on his recent meeting with local CNDP
leadership, Doss said they were committed to a political role. They
have grievances, notably the failure of the GDRC to convene the
Steering Committee to implement recent agreements, but none of these
concerns were "dealbreakers," in Doss' view. The CNDP has, however,
contacted Obasanjo to express its concerns; Obsananjo's aide,
General Sumbeiywo, will travel to Goma on April 27 to follow up on
implementation. Doss recommended a "light structure" for tracking
implementation, rather than the multi-tiered structure of the Amani
program. The CNDP would keep its political grievances separate from
its military grievances. (Comment: although CNDP officers have done
well in the division of commands in the FARDC, we estimate that up
to 10% of the rank and file have already deserted the FARDC. End
comment.)


11. (SBU) Doss said he would soon return to New York to brief the
Security Council on his findings. He intends to report progress,
but note the many areas where problems could derail the process. He
is encouraged that the UNSC is relatively united in its view of the
conflict.


12. (SBU) Comment: The SRSG has a solid understanding of recent
dynamics in the east, and does not appear overly concerned that the
UN has been frequently sidelined in negotiating agreements. He may
be a bit optimistic about Kimia II's ability to weaken FDLR
capabilities. He is correct in understanding that further action
against the FDLR is key to maintaining momentum in DRC-Rwanda
relations. End comment.

GARVELINK