US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1036

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001036 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/AF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PINS, PREL, CG, ASEC 
SUBJECT: KABILA APPEALS FOR CALM, VIGILANCE 
 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  President Joseph Kabila, Interior Minister 
Theophile Mbemba, and opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi 
all broadcast messages to the public on 3 June, appealing for 
calm. On balance, the messages were positive.  Kabila 
discouraged violence, endorsed MONUC's work, demanded that 
politicians refrain from 'hate speech,' and insisted that the 
transition would go forward.  Tshisekedi encouraged the 
people to maintain pressure -- peacefully -- on the 
government.  Since protests have ebbed 3 June, it seems that 
these appeals for calm were helpful.  End summary. 
 
President Kabila Speaks 
----------------------- 
2. (U) President Kabila spoke in French at 2315L, on national 
television and radio.  (Comment:  The use of French rather 
than local vernacular such as Lingala (in Kinshasa) or 
Swahili (in Katanga and the east) necessarily limits the 
"reach" of his message. End Comment.) He said: 
 
THE ENEMY'S DESIGN 
 
--there has been fighting in Bukavu since May 26;  that city 
is now controlled by Rwandan-backed insurgents 
 
--this act is designed to prevent reunification of the Congo 
and extension of state authority over the national territory 
 
--it is no coincidence that the fighting started the same day 
as the swearing-in of provincial governors named by the 
central government 
 
 
AN APPEAL FOR CALM 
 
--he understands popular anger, because of the desire for 
national unity and territorial integrity 
 
--however, such solidarity does not warrant excesses which 
result in material and human losses 
 
--those who indulge in excesses are playing the game of the 
enemy, who seeks the slightest opportunity to disturb the 
transition 
 
--MONUC is on a mission of peace, and is helping the 
government to achieve transitional objectives 
 
 
WHAT THE GOVT. IS DOING 
 
--the people should trust government institutions, the 
police, and the army, which are relentlessly defending the 
republic 
 
--during a special meeting, the government made the necessary 
provisions to restore national unity and territorial 
integrity;  he promised to work hard and with determination 
to achieve these goals 
 
--the insurgents must lay down their arms, and Rwandan troops 
must withdraw 
 
--MONUC should act with greater determination to protect the 
inhabitants of Bukavu 
 
--he promised to fight with the people to achieve national 
unity, and called upon them to mobilize in "disciplined 
solidarity" in order to foil the enemy's plan 
 
 
NO HATE SPEECH 
 
--he called on politicians to act responsibly and avoid using 
"hate speech;"  irresponsible acts and remarks should be 
avoided because democracy means disciplined liberty, it is 
not anarchy 
 
--the government will respond adequately to the events in 
Bukavu;  these events shall not lessen the determination to 
continue the transition and the goal of holding free and fair 
elections 
 
 
Interior Minister Appeals for Calm 
---------------------------------- 
3. (SBU) According to Pol FSN, Interior Minister Theophile 
Mbemba spoke in Lingala at 1800L, on national television and 
radio.  (Comment:  Mbemba's words are important because he is 
one of the few senior officials with a local 
(Kinshasa/Bandundu) ethnopolitical base of support.  End 
Comment.)  He said, in sequential order: 
 
--the people should hold national interests paramount 
 
--those who want disturbances, which could lead to greater 
problems, do not like the Congo 
 
--the people should work together, so there may be peace in 
Kinshasa and the republic;  they should have love for all, 
help each other, not become divided, and remain vigilant 
 
--the government will do everything possible to rebuild what 
has been destroyed 
 
 
Tshisekedi Says "No" to Coup d'Etat 
 
SIPDIS 
----------------------------------- 
4. (SBU) Political opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi also 
spoke yesterday afternoon;  various radio and television 
stations broadcast his speech, which was in Lingala.  He 
reportedly said: 
 
--the people are to be congratulated for becoming politically 
aware and active, which is the basis of democracy 
 
--supporters have been encouraging him to march with them to 
the seat of government, where they would proclaim him 
president of the republic;  this would be a coup d'etat, 
another dictatorship, not the democracy for which they have 
been fighting 
 
--if his supporters march on government institutions, a hail 
of bullets will shower on them;  people should abide by the 
law, should not target foreigners, but continue to maintain 
pressure on the government to hold elections 
 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
5. (SBU) On balance, Kabila's speech was positive.  Many 
observers were concerned that he would say nothing to dampen 
anti-MONUC sentiment or ease ethnic tensions, and perhaps 
even declare a state of emergency.  Tshisekedi's message was 
significant because many of the protesters on June 3 
reportedly shouted pro-Tshisekedi slogans and wrote 
pro-Tshisekedi graffiti.  It should be noted, however, that 
Tshisekedi's own home turf--the Kasais--remained quiet on 
 
SIPDIS 
June 3.  END COMMENT. 
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