US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1555

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001555 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1.6X.6 
TAGS: MNUC, PGOV, PHUM, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: GDRC URGES UNSC ACTION IN RESPONSE TO GATUMBA CAMP 
ATTACK 
 
1. (U) Summary:  In the absence of other senior officials, 
the International Cooperation Vice Minister, an RCD-Goma 
appointee, convoked UNSC Perm 5 heads of mission August 16 to 
urge support for an international investigation, a more 
vigorous MONUC disarmament mandate, and aid to attack 
victims.  He also requested all efforts be made with 
"neighboring countries" to encourage security cooperation in 
the area.  Answering a question, the Vice Minister said that 
the GDRC was willing to meet with Burundian and Rwandan 
representatives before the end of the month, but declined to 
affirm whether he expected such a meeting to occur.  End 
summary. 
 
2. (C)  In the absence of President Kabila, the Foreign 
Minister, and many other senior officials attending the SADC 
summit in Mauritius, Vice Minister of International 
Cooperation Christian Kambinga Sale convoked heads of mission 
of the UNSC Perm 5 countries to the Foreign Ministry the 
afternoon of August 16.  (Comment:  Kambinga, a Katangan 
member of the RCD-G, was once responsible for that party's 
contacts with the diplomatic community.  Although 
occasionally espousing an RCD-G hardline, in general we have 
found him to be moderate and reasonable.  End comment.) 
 
3.  (U) The Vice Minister reiterated GDRC reaction to the 
brutal August 14 attack on Congolese refugees at the Gatumba 
camp in Burundi, referring to prior statements issued by the 
Presidency.  He criticized UNHCR for having located the camp 
adjacent to a Burundi military base.  In his presentation, he 
appealed for support from the UNSC permanent members in the 
several areas.  Specifically: 
 
a) To push for a rapid and thorough independent international 
investigation of the attack.  The Vice Minister said that 
only such an independent international investigation would be 
credible.  He added that the GDRC did want to point fingers 
yet regarding allegations of involvement, but said that all 
avenues needed to be explored.  (Comment: A reference to 
widespread charges of involvement by Mai Mai or other 
Congolese groups, and Rwandan Hutu extremists in addition to 
the Burundian FNL.  End comment). 
 
b) To support calls for an expanded and more aggressive MONUC 
mandate relative to disarmament.  By expanding, the Vice 
Minister made it clear he was referring to authorization for 
disarmament by force of "negative elements," a term long used 
to refer to Hutu extremist elements in the region and their 
supporters. 
 
c) To encourage neighboring countries to maintain contact 
with the GDRC and cooperate fully regarding the international 
investigation and generally help to address general 
insecurity in the region.  In his remarks, the Vice Minister 
particularly noted USG and Belgian efforts to-date to promote 
regional dialogue. 
 
d) To favorably consider the need for additional aid to 
victims of the attack.  The Vice Minister acknowledged 
activity by UNHCR and NGO,s, but observed that the brutality 
of the attack and the number of family victims greatly 
increased the impact on a large number of people in the 
camps, and likely relatives in the DRC as well, creating 
additional burdens that the UNHCR and others may be hard 
pressed to meet. 
 
4. (C) The Vice Minister reported that a significant GDRC 
delegation, including a number of parliamentarians, had 
traveled to Bujumbura to be present for funeral ceremonies, 
talk with Burundian authorities and most importantly with the 
surviving refugees themselves.  He affirmed that the GDRC 
continues to wish for the refugees to return home as soon as 
possible.  (Comment:  MONUC reports that, in addition to VP 
Ruberwa, the GDRC was represented in Gatumba by Minister of 
Interior Mbemba and several Parliamentarians.  Also present, 
perhaps unfortunately, were "the group of eight," i.e., the 
disaffected RCD-G parliamentarians headed by Bizima Karaha, 
and Banyamulenge community extremists including Kadage, who 
MONUC believes to be responsible for the widespread 
recruitment (sometimes by force) of Banyamulenge youth from 
the Cyangagu refugee camp for a "Banyamulenge Defense Force." 
 End Comment) 
 
5. (U) The Ambassador and the other Perm 5 mission heads 
reiterated condemnation of the Gatumba attack and other 
elements of the August 15 International Committee to 
Accampany the Transition (CIAT) communique and UNSC 
Presidential statement.  The Ambassador noted a further USG 
statement would likely be issued on Monday as well in 
Washington. 
 
6. (U) Near the end of the meeting, the French Charge asked 
the Vice Minister about reports of a possible meeting of 
GDRC, Burundian, and Rwandan officials toward the end of the 
month.  Hesitating slightly, the Minister stated that the 
GDRC certainly was willing to participate in such a meeting, 
but he declined to elaborate further, nor confirm that he 
expected any such meeting to occur. 
 
7. (C) Comment:  Although Kambinga's presentation was 
moderate and reasonable, general reaction to the tragedy 
appears to be becoming increasingly extreme.  There are 
mounting reports of RCD members purchasing one-way tickets 
for themselves and their families to return to eastern Congo, 
as mumblings that the Tutsis organized the massacre 
themselves to generate international sympathy multiply.  Even 
moderate members of the Banyamulenge community, normally not 
given to exaggeration, are anxiously discussing the 
possibility of a reprise of the 1996 anti-Tutsi bloodbath in 
Kinshasa and elsewhere.  To a certain extent, these 
sentiments reflect old, underlying tensions, particularly 
among the RCD, many of whom have reportedly felt insecure in 
Kinshasa.  The events in Gatumbe may have temporarily 
intensified these predispostions, but we believe that if the 
massacre investigation is handled promptly and thoroughly, 
these concerns can be dispelled. 
MEECE