US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1552

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001552 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/17/2014 
TAGS: ECON, PGOV, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: VP BEMBA FLYING HIGH ON TRAVEL TO U.S. 
 
Classified By: Econoff Peter Newman for reasons 1.5 b/d 
 
1. (C) Summary. On Aug 12, Amb Meece paid an introductory 
courtesy call on Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba during 
which Bemba reiterated his desire to meet with U.S. officials 
during travel to the U.S. in October. Bemba has previously 
made a strong push for an invitation for official travel to 
the U.S. He has now taken the track of requesting meetings 
while already in the U.S. for other reasons, in this case the 
annual World Bank/IMF meetings. Ambassador diplomatically 
pushed back on the travel issue citing potential conflicts as 
well as security concerns during the upcoming IFI meetings in 
Washington. End Summary. 
 
2. (C) VP Bemba has relaunched his campaign to meet with 
high-level USG officials during travel to the U.S. He has 
previously strongly requested an invitation for an official 
visit to hold meetings with cabinet level officials (e.g. 
Secretary of State, National Security Advisor, etc). Not 
 
SIPDIS 
having received such an invitation, he is now proposing that 
Post assist in arranging meetings with USG officials while he 
is in Washington for the World Bank/IMF conferences in early 
October. 
 
3. (C) Bemba transitioned into this part of the discussion 
with Ambassador Meece after citing the economic progress the 
DRC has made, especially since his taking office. He planted 
the idea as an opportunity to meet with potential investors. 
Bemba reiterated that the USG has never invited him to the 
U.S., and that he would like to meet with U.S. officials. 
 
4. (C) Ambassador countered by mentioning several major 
distractions for Washington officials which would potentially 
limit their availability in the next two months, including 
the upcoming UNGA session on Sept 22. (Comment. It is 
unlikely that Bemba will be permitted by President Kabila to 
attend the UNGA, even if he so desired, as Foreign Minister 
Ramazani is of the MLC and closely tied to Bemba. End 
Comment.) Ambassador also cautioned Bemba that September and 
October falls during the tail end of the political season in 
the U.S., and many government officials, especially 
Congressmen, will not be in Washington. Bemba grudgingly 
acknowledged that the trip might be a problem, but 
nevertheless continued to push for USG support for high-level 
meetings and possible other programming. 
 
5. (C) Ambassador also noted the recent security warning for 
the IFI conferences. He emphasized that security will be 
tight and movement in downtown Washington will be restricted, 
adding another hindrance to meeting facilitation. Bemba 
seemed to take the comment rather seriously and asked 
worriedly if this will be a serious problem for travel. 
Ambassador assured Bemba that we have no recent specific 
threat information and that he will inform Bemba if there is 
reason for concern. 
 
6. (C) Comment. We do not recommend an official visit to DC 
for Bemba, whose motives are in large part, personal. 
President Kabila has already met with senior USG officials 
and for Bemba this is a sore spot personally and politically. 
As head of the MLC, Bemba could potentially face serious 
human rights abuse allegations by the International Criminal 
Court. This makes it even less desirable to help arrange 
high-profile cabinet level meetings for him. End Comment. 
MEECE