CONTINUING MONUC DDRRR EFFORTS

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000055 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG SUBJECT: CONTINUING MONUC DDRRR EFFORTS Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) MONUC/DDRRR is prepared to transport combatants from the Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD),cantoned at Kasiki, to Rwanda under its existing process. MONUC/DDRRR Officer in Charge Bruno Donat has proposed bringing trucks to Kasiki on or around January 23 to initially transport to Goma those who are willing to repatriate. Donat also recently traveled to Kigali where he secured a reaffirmation of Rwanda's willingness to accept the RUD fighters. Donat reported that SRSG Alan Doss and GDRC National Security Advisor Prince Kaumba Lufunda had agreed to pay each RUD ex-combatant $300 upon repatriation. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) At the December 19 Joint Monitoring Group Task Force (JMG-TF) meeting, representatives from both Rwanda and the DRC said the Rally for Unity and Democracy (RUD) combatants, who have been cantoned at Kasiki since late July, are free to repatriate at any time. MONUC/DDRRR is prepared to transport them to Rwanda under its existing process. Alternately, if a number of them want to visit Rwanda first to ensure that it is safe to return, MONUC is willing to facilitate that action. There remains some concern that RUD commanders who are still active in the area and in touch with the rank and file at Kasiki may try to prevent their repatriation. ¶3. (SBU) Following intensive discussions regarding the logistics of moving the RUD fighters, DDRRR Officer in Charge Bruno Donat proposed bringing trucks to Kasiki on or around January 23 to transport to Goma an initial group of those who are willing to repatriate. Members of the International Facilitation will accompany the MONUC convoy, which will include an armed escort. ¶4. (SBU) Donat noted that he required no specific permission to repatriate disarmed combatants. Nevertheless, he recently traveled to Kigali where he met with Jean Sayinzoga, Chairman of the Rwandan Demobilization and Reintegration Commission, and obtained a letter reiterating Rwanda's willingness to accept the RUD fighters. Donat shared the letter with Major Amboise Nanga (a GDRC representative to the JMG-TF) and will contact GDRC National Security Advisor Prince Kaumba Lufunda as well. Donat reported that SRSG Alan Doss and Kaumba had agreed to pay each RUD ex-combatant $300 upon repatriation (Note: It is unclear whether MONUC and/or the GDRC would actually provide funding. End Note). In Donat's view, the payments are a mistake, but he noted that some GDRC officials are now advocating them for all future ex-combatants who repatriate. Donat does not know the source of funding for this program, but it is not the World Bank. ¶5. (SBU) Separately, MONUC/DDRRR is appealing to donors to procure new radio transmitters for its South Kivu office. All nine of the transmitters in Bukavu are currently out of commission. As the GDRC and GoR contemplate action against the FDLR, radio communications will be especially critical. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Major Nanga appeared more hesitant than the Rwandans about moving quickly to repatriate the RUD fighters. It is certainly possible that MONUC/DDRRR will encounter hurdles that could derail efforts to repatriate the group. However, members of the JMG-TF believe it is important to demonstrate that ex-combatants can be voluntarily repatriated without fear. Conditions may not be ideal, but after six months of inaction, the JMG-TF agreed it is time for a resolution. GARVELINK