RWANDA VISIT ADDS PERSPECTIVE FOR JMG-TF

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 KINSHASA 000575

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: RWANDA VISIT ADDS PERSPECTIVE FOR JMG-TF


1. (SBU) Summary: The Government of Rwanda (GoR) sponsored a visit
of the Joint Monitoring Group Task Force (JMG-TF) to Rwanda June 4-6
to enhance understanding of the repatriation process for FDLR rebels
remaining in the DRC. The 18-member group of DRC-based diplomats
(Note: Goma Liaison Officer Gurney participated in the visit as the
USG member of the JMG-TF. End Note),MONUC officials/press and
representatives of the DRC and GoR visited the Matobo reorientation
camp, the National Museum, the genocide museum and Murambi genocide
site, in addition to meetings with the Executive Secretaries of the
National Unity and Reconciliation Commission and the Gacaca
Commission. At the end of the visit, members of the JMG-TF met
privately to discuss ways the international facilitation team could
promote repatriation and support the peace process. Paragraph 13
requests Department guidance as to whether a statement of support
for Kimia II is appropriate. End summary.

First Stop - FDLR Reorientation Camp
--------------


2. (SBU) Hundreds of recent Democratic Forces for the Liberation of
Rwanda (FDLR) returnees greeted the JMG-TF delegates with songs and
dancing at the Matobo reorientation camp, one hour from the border
crossing at Gisenyi. A briefing by Rwandan Demobilization and
Reintegration Center (RDRC) Head Jean Sayinzoga focused on the need
to move forward with reconciliation, while never forgetting the
awful consequences of ethnic hatred. Several returnees answered
questions from JMG-TF members; one noted that virtually all FDLR in
the eastern DRC were aware of MONUC's DDRRR program for
repatriation, but commanders restricted access to MONUC and
distorted conditions in Rwanda. Several focuse on the hardships of
living in the Congo forest nd claimed many FDLR cadre seek to
return to Rwanda.


3. (SBU) Three former FDLR elements testifid that RDF operations
helped pressure them to reurn. They said they had not faced
discriminatio since their return and that the continued aim of he
FDLR was to forcefully overthrow the Rwandan Government. A female
dependent said women and chidren had no rights in the bush. A
recently retuned ex-FDLR major noted that the FDLR membership i
comprised of three types: those too young to hve participated in
the genocide, those out of the country at the time, andthose who
took part in the genocide. Efforts torepatriate FDLR should focus
on the first two groups.

The Challenge of National Unity and Reconciiation
-------------- --------------


4. (SBU) Following a visit to the Kigli Memorial Centre, JMG-TF
delegates met with Fauma Ndangiza, Executive Secretary of the
National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. She outlinedthe
major challenges to unity and reconciliationin the immediate
aftermath of the genocide (instbility, ethnic division and lack of
justice). Se gave an overview of activities undertaken by the
Commission, including the co-ordination of a natinal dialogue in
1998-1999, the monitoring of insitutions to ensure respect for
unity and reconciiation, and promotion of the Commission's core
vlues of forgiveness, memory and education. She assssed that
progress had been made at the nationallevel to promote
reconciliation, notably, that n Rwandan was discriminated against
for ethnic reasons and that Rwandan leaders were sharing power.
However, she conceded that challenges remained at the inter-personal
level. In the context of discussion about how the JMG-TF could
assist her commission, it was agreed that information programming to
encourage FDLR elements to surrender and the promotion of awareness
amongst receiving communities were important. Ms. Ndangiza noted
that communication with young female FDLR elements was particularly
important. She agreed in principle to the invitation of DDRRR to
visit the DRC to conduct information awareness activity.


5. (SBU) Delegates, who were unfamiliar with Rwanda and its
history, noted that they had learned many details of how the
genocide was planned and perpetrated. It was much harder to
understand why the genocide was perpetrated, a critical question for
inducing the rebels to repatriate. Ndangiza returned to the history
of Rwanda since 1959, noting how Tutsis were systematically
depersonalized and blamed as "outsiders" who caused all of Rwanda's
problems. Many participants in the genocide were uneducated, and
education was now a central part of reconciliation involving a full
range of institutions. Ndangiza also stressed the culture of
impunity, coercion and the failure of the church and international
community to play restraining roles.


6. (SBU) Ndangiza acknowledged that not all returnees find a happy
welcome. Some had lost land, or had difficulty finding work, and
some communities did not welcome returnees. She noted the unique
difficulties of perpetrators and victims living again side by side

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and how divisions had been overcome through mutual building
construction and basket-weaving projects. Forgiveness was key, but
perpetrators must acknowledge guilt and ask for forgiveness before
it could be granted. While some genocide participants received long
prison sentences, those who confess receive greatly reduced
sentences. She recommended that the international community assist
efforts to take testimonies from a wide range of returnees and
broadcast them to the FDLR in the DRC to counter rumors that
returnees were routinely killed.

Site Visits
--------------


7. (SBU) Beyond the meetings in Kigali, the GoR arranged for the
group to visit the Murambi genocide memorial where an estimated
50,000 Tutsis were killed and buried. Participants also stopped at
Rwanda's National Museum.

The Gacaca Jurisdictions
--------------


8. (SBU) Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, Executive Secretary of the
National Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions, briefed the JMG-TF on the
traditional gacaca trials, a process of clear concern to FDLR cadre
in the DRC. She noted the enormous task facing authorities in the
wake of the 1994 genocide, stressing the need for justice as well as
reconciliation. Gacaca recognizes that killings took place under
many different circumstances, and most participants can be
categorized as planners, active perpetrators, or persons who
committed crimes against property. Trials for categories 2 and 3
were almost at an end, but there are still almost 9,000 category 1
cases to be reviewed. Individuals must return to their communities
before testimony can be heard, and Mukantaganzwa noted the problems
with intimidation and faded memories after 15 years. The genocide
traumatized both victims and killers, and the community process of
"truth-telling" helps address the trauma.


9. (SBU) Asked how MONUC and the GDRC could address FDLR fears of
the gacaca process, Mukantaganzwa said rebels who maintain their
innocence should have the power of their convictions and return.
Defendants who have been falsely accused have proven the charges
against them were false. FDLR members who were 14 years old or
younger at the time of the genocide are not prosecuted. Finally,
those guilty of genocidal acts have many paths to reintegration into
the community. Those guilty of genocide crimes will serve some
prison time, but those who confess also receive suspended sentences
and community service, which allow for relatively rapid
reinstatement.

JMG-TF Meeting - Which Way Forward?
--------------


10. (SBU) Chairman Samba Tall convened the JMG-TF meeting on June
7, inviting the Head of the Rwandan Demobilization and Reintegration
Commission to speak on the importance of information programs both
in and outside Rwanda. He called on the JMG-TF and MONUC to assist
in the diffusion of information, noting the importance of meeting
with local leaders and combatants to encourage repatriation. He
also said that the trip had shown that the environment in Rwanda was
conducive to return. DDR/RR reported that the number of those
repatriating had decreased since the end of RDF operations in the
DRC. The representative of DDRRR noted that military pressure should
be maintained, but that information programming remained crucial.
To this end, he reiterated the invitation to the Executive Secretary
of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission to participate
in information and awareness programming activity in the DRC.


11. (SBU) In the closed meeting that followed, the chair (MONUC)
raised the issue of how the JMG-TF could support the raising of
awareness on both sides of the border, as well as the matter of how
to facilitate activity to complement Kimia II operations. The DRC
representative emphasized the importance of remaining within the
Terms of Reference of the JMG-TF, but agreed to widening information
broadcasting activities and inviting the FARDC to provide an update
to the JMG-TF on Kimia II operations. The Rwandan representative
noted that the rapprochement between Rwanda and the DRC had resulted
in the neutralization of the CNDP and allowed the GDRC to reassert
its authority in all parts of the country. He said that a
relatively short list of most wanted perpetrators of genocide had
been shared with the GDRC and noted that the JMG-TF visit to Rwanda
had demonstrated that the environment in the country was conducive
to return. However, he added with concern that the FDLR leadership,
particularly that of the FDLR faction RUD ("Ralliement pour l`Unite
et la Democratie" in French),continued to have freedom of movement
in Europe and North America. He noted that the FDLR was still in
North and South Kivu and he called on the JMG-TF to assist in

KINSHASA 00000575 003 OF 003


identifying those that remained active in supporting the FDLR. He
also agreed on the importance of supporting Kimia II with further
visits of the JMG-TF to the field in DRC.


12. (SBU) In interventions by members of the International
Facilitation (IF),France (on behalf of the EU) emphasized the
importance of neutralizing the FDLR leadership outside the DRC. The
French representative suggested favouring younger FDLR leaders who
did not necessarily share the same ideology and language as older
leaders. Goma Liaison Officer Gurney suggested a statement,
supporting Kimia II operations, to be discussed at the next meeting.
The South African representative suggested having a meeting of
Special Envoys to follow-up on previous recommendations by the
JMG-TF. The representative from the International Conference on the
Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) stressed the importance of asserting
pressure on the FDLR leadership. He also informed the JMG-TF that
the ICGLR would meet later in June to take stock of Kimia II
operations. The representative of the African Union said conditions
should be imposed on the exile of rebel leaders in Europe and
elsewhere. In particular, they should be required to stop all
activity in support of armed groups before being given refugee
status in host countries. The JMG-TF agreed to meet again on June
19 in Goma.


13. (SBU) Comment and Guidance Request: The visit to Rwanda was
extremely valuable for the non-Rwandan JMG-TF members to better
understand the history of the crisis, which continues to haunt the
DRC. It also forged a common sense of purpose among JMG-TF members,
pulling in representatives of the Great Lakes and the AU who often
skip the biweekly meetings in Goma. Thoughts from addressees on
ways to intensify international efforts to pressure FDLR and RUD
leaders abroad are welcome. We also request guidance as to whether
a statement of support for Kimia II is appropriate, and suggest the
following elements: The U.S. continues to support the Nairobi
Communique to bring peace to the eastern Congo, and Kimia II is a
vital component of that agreement; perpetrators of retribution will
be held accountable; the rapprochement between the Governments of
Rwanda and the DRC is a positive development and deserves
international support; the people of the DRC and Rwanda deserve
peace and FDLR elements inside the DRC must return home.


14. (SBU) Comment continued: The JMG, set up to monitor
implementation of the Nairobi Communique, still has a role to play,
but the GDRC appears unenthusiastic about real activism. At several
recent JMG-TF meetings, GDRC representatives have stalled inquiries
and suggested projects, and the June 7 meeting was no exception.
The GDRC is, however, moving forward with Operation Kimia II, albeit
haltingly, and the GoR delegates in the JMG-TF appeared satisfied
with the partnership and comfortable with the role of the IF. MONUC
has a vital role in stabilizing the region and implementing
international agreements to build a lasting peace. End comment.


15. (U) Final note: USG participation in this event was limited to
the official U.S. representative on the JMG, i.e., Embassy
Kinshasa's poloff in Goma. Embassy Kigali accepted Embassy
Kinshasa's invitation to review this cable, which it (Kigali) has
cleared. End final note.

BROCK