PRESIDENT'S SON STUDYING IN CUBA?

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 003602


E.O. 12958: DECL: 4/17/08
TAGS: PINR PREL MASS CG CU
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S SON STUDYING IN CUBA?

CLASSIFIED BY POLITICAL SECTION CHIEF DENNIS HANKINS FOR
REASON 1.5(B/D).


1. (C) ETIENNE RUSAMIRA (PROTECT),ENVIRONMENT MINISTRY
ACTING CHIEF OF STAFF, WHO WE HAVE FOUND TO BE A GENERALLY
RELIABLE SOURCE WITHIN THE GDROC, TOLD POL COUNS MAY 18 THAT
PRESIDENT KABILA'S SON, "COMMANDANT" JOSEPH KAKA (AKA JOSEPH
KABILA) DEPARTED KINSHASA DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY TO
ATTEND A FIVE-MONTH MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAM IN CUBA. AN
UNSPECIFIED ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF CONGOLESE MILITARY (OF
KATANGAN BACKGROUND) ALSO REPORTEDLY WENT FOR TRAINING.


2. (C) COMMANDANT JOSEPH HAS BEEN THE ACTING DEPUTY CHIEF
OF STAFF IN THE CONGOLESE ARMED FORCES. PRESIDENT KABILA
HAS SOUGHT MILITARY TRAINING FOR HIS SON IN A NUMBER OF
COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE U.S. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT, IF ANY,
FORMAL MILITARY TRAINING JOSEPH HAS PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED.

SIMPSON