EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 28

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 000089

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS PHUM PREF KPKO CG
SUBJECT: EASTERN DRC NOTES - JANUARY 28


1. (U) The items contained in this report consist principally of
spot information from various sources. This report is not
exhaustive, nor can all the information contained therein be
confirmed at this time.

Joint FARDC/RDF Operation
--------------


2. (SBU) MONUC announced on January 28 that the FARDC continues to
advance west of Lubero and reports having penetrated 65-70
kilometers into former FDLR-held areas, including Kasugho and
Bunyatende. FDLR combatants generally have not put up any fight up
to the present point, but have merely retreated westward and
northward out of the area; another report, however, notes that 1,500
FDLR combatants (who had left their families) are massing near
Kashebere. In addition, there are reports that FDLR fighters are
moving into Orientale Province.


3. (SBU) MONUC expects the first major offensives to target FDLR
economic zones. According to FARDC reports, four FDLR combatants
have been killed so far, and 494 have surrendered (Note: MONUC
emphasized that this latter point has not been verified. End note).
MONUC reported separately that 20 FDLR combatants in Nyabiondo and
ten in Pinga have surrendered to the FARDC. The Nyabiondo group has
already been transported by helicopter to Goma.


4. (SBU) MONUC remains concerned regarding the possibility of FDLR
reprisals against predominantly Tutsi villages. Separately, an NGO
reported that the population of Chambucha, approximately 100
kilometers inland from Lake Kivu, just north of the border between
North and South Kivu, is in a panic over the possibility of
anti-FDLR attacks by FARDC and is scattering in every direction.
Chambucha has been until now a "free zone" town located between
FARDC and FDLR-held areas.

MONUC Assistance
--------------


5. (SBU) MONUC reported the establishment of a Joint Operations
Center (JOC),staffed by MONUC, FARDC, and RDF representatives.
Daily meetings will be held at which an overview of recent FARDC/RDF
actions and a preview of operations planned over the next 48 hours
will be provided (Note: There is general skepticism that such
previews of future operations will in fact be provided. End note).
The JOC will look to provide advice to the overall operation, and
also contribute to repatriation and FARDC integration efforts.


6. (SBU) A senior MONUC military officer told us that MONUC is in
the process of re-evaluating where to position its forces in order
to better protect civilians. MONUC has identified 11 new deployment
positions and has closed four others, in an effort to consolidate
its peacekeepers. In general, these movements will be to the west
(as far as Walikale),as this is where MONUC expects the brunt of
the fighting to take place. The new deployments will be on a 14 day
temporary basis, renewed as necessary.

Integration
--------------


7. (SBU) MONUC reported that Ntaganda and the GDRC Minister of
Defense traveled to Rutshuru on January 24 to emphasize the need for
CNDP fighters there to integrate into the FARDC; there would be
serious consequences for those who refused. CNDP integration is
scheduled to begin January 28 and the FARDC hopes to conclude the
process within 48 hours (Comment: This kind of timeline guarantees,
at best, a hurried retread of the failed "mixage" process. A more
formal, measured integration process will be necessary to guarantee
the full dismantlement of the CNDP. End comment). Separately, ten
PARECO fighters and 170 Mai-Mai in the Nyamailima area have
reportedly volunteered to join the FARDC.


8. (SBU) MONUC noted that the regroupment sites for Mai-Mai, PARECO
and CNDP fighters who want to join the FARDC and participate in the
anti-FDLR offensive are Kimoka and Bubambiro for Masisi Territory,
and Rumangabo for Rutshuru territory. MONUC expects to receive
requests for transportation to the regroupment centers.

Operation Lightning Thunder
--------------


9. (SBU) MONUC passed unverified information that a senior LRA
commander has been wounded in Garamba Park and is negotiating
through the International Organization for Migration for his
surrender.


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