US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1244

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001244 
 
SIPDIS 
 
H FOR KATHLEEN MOODY 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2014 
TAGS: EAGR, ECON, OREP, PGOV, PREL, SENV, CG 
SUBJECT: ROYCE CODEL HIGHLIGHTS INTERNAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL 
SECURITY IN THE DRC 
 
Classified By: Econoff Peter Newman for reasons 1.5 b/d 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY. From June 26-30, Chairman of the House 
International Relations Subcommittee for Africa, Ed Royce, 
led a delegation, which consisted of Rep Royce, his wife, two 
staffers (Tom Sheehy and Malik Chaka), to Kinshasa focused on 
national and environmental security issues. Key meetings were 
held with President Kabila, VP Ruberwa, National Assembly 
President Kamitatu, SRSG Swing and a roundtable of NGOs 
focused involved in the Congo Basin Forest Partnership. In 
support of USG initiatives, Royce proposed holding a 
Congressional hearing on the subject of DRC internal 
security. END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (C) The Royce delegation was primarily focused on issues 
of Congolese internal security and US investment in Vodacom 
(the leading cellular telecommunications provider in the 
DRC). Meetings with Post Country Team, President Kabila 
(septel), VP Ruberwa, National Assembly President Kamitatu, 
and SRSG Swing (Ruberwa, Kamitatu and Swing all septel) and a 
dinner with important political leaders provided 
opportunities to assess the current political and security 
environment. On all occasions, Royce clearly supported the 
current initiatives by the Government of Nigeria and by the 
USG to bring the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda to talks on regional 
security. He also made clear that he believed Rwanda to be 
involved in the recent spat of fighting in the Kivus. 
Security, especially an expeditious reorganization and 
integration of the armed forces, was seen as a prerequisite 
for elections by all participants. Royce proposed holding a 
hearing on the DRC at the subcommittee level to bring greater 
attention to the current tenuous political situation in the 
DRC. 
 
3. (SBU) On economic issues, a group of Royce's constituents 
invested in Vodacom had several activities organized 
including two dinners, a river cruise and a Vodacom 
facilities tour. Royce was primarily focused on increasing 
investment in the DRC, however, he did take into 
consideration the need to approve budget allocations to 
fulfill USG promises of debt relief under HIPC (Highly 
Indebted Poor Country) Initiative. Post also organized a 
dinner with local businessmen and US investors to highlight 
the challenges in operating a business in the DRC. 
 
4. (SBU) Royce is a co-sponsor of the Congo Basin Forest 
Partnership (CBFP) Act. To this end, Post organized with 
USAID a luncheon with conservation NGOs working on the CBFP, 
including the World Wildlife Fund and Conservation 
International among others. The topic of greatest discussion 
was the current rate of deforestation in Virunga National 
Park, on the border with Rwanda, threatening to destroy the 
last habitat for mountain gorillas. Rwandan cattle farmers 
have been burning large swaths of land on the DRC side of 
Virunga Park for use in grazing cattle. If deforestation 
continues at the same pace, the entire park could be 
defoliated within a few months. (NOTE. Post delivered urgent 
Virunga Park demarche to GDRC as well as Governor Serafuli 
and Regional Military Commander Obedi. END NOTE.) Royce again 
proposed action on his part in the form of holding a press 
conference to bring the problem into the public arena and 
shame Rwanda for allowing its ranchers to behave in this 
manner. All parties mentioned concerns that any initiative 
not be taken as placing the preservation of a species over 
the value of human life in the region - where an estimated 3 
million people have died over 6 years of war. 
 
5. (C) COMMENT. Overall the Royce CODEL was a good chance to 
inform Congress about necessary actions to be taken in 
support of the Transitional Government and peace in the DRC. 
His visit focused on broad issues of US policy toward the DRC 
(e.g. security, elections, debt relief). Royce's proposals of 
a Congressional hearing and a press conference in support of 
USG initiatives were well received by Post and local 
personalities. Ambassador emphasized the importance of 
Congressional approval of HIPC initiative funding. END 
COMMENT. 
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