US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1571

C O N F I D E N T I A L  KINSHASA 001571 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/20/2010 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: KABILA AUG 20 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROGER MEECE.  REASON 1.5(b/d) 
 
 
1. (C) Summary:  I met privately with President Kabila on 
August 20, the day after Kabila,s return from the SAC summit 
and Burundi-related meeting in Dar es Salaam.  Kabila 
reiterated his absolute commitment to the transition process, 
notably including democratic elections slated for next year. 
He also observed, however, the necessity for adequate 
security and other conditions to maintain progress. 
Referring to last weekend,s massacre of refugees in Burundi, 
I emphasized the importance of all parties avoiding 
inflammatory rhetoric, and the need for cooperation among 
domestic leaders and regional governments.  In this regard, I 
noted USG efforts to organize the next tripartite session in 
Uganda, a subsequent planned visit of USG officials to 
Kinshasa, and my August 18 phone call to VP Ruberwa, all 
intended to support dialogue and overcome current tensions. 
Kabila said he would send a delegation to the tripartite out 
of respect for the USG, despite a lack of Rwandan cooperation 
to form a Joint Verification Mechanism, but said that must be 
the centerpoint of the Kampala meeting.  He also welcomed the 
Kinshasa visit of Washington officials, and my message to 
Ruberwa.  End summary. 
 
2. (C) At my request, I had a one-on-one meeting with 
President Joseph Kabila in his offices in Kinshasa on August 
20, the day after his return from the SADC summit in 
Mauritius, and his subsequent visit to Dar es Salaam to 
participate in a meetings and a regional summit scheduled to 
address Burundi issues.  This was the first private meeting 
and opportunity for a substantive exchange since I presented 
credentials on August 3 . 
 
 
The Transition Process Remains Central 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
3. (C) Kabila began by reiterating his absolute support to 
the transition process.  He noted he had made three solemn 
promises when he took office; ending the conflict, 
establishing a national unity government, and holding 
elections.  He said that the country has reached the second 
stage, the transition, and he is determined to move as 
planned to the holding of free, fair, and democratic 
elections next year.  He expressed appreciation to the 
international community and the USG in particular for the 
support shown to the DRC peace process and the transition.  I 
reaffirmed the importance we attach to the success of the 
transition and USG continuing support. 
 
 
The Need for Security 
-------------------------- 
 
4. (C) Kabila noted that there are of course conditions 
needed for the successful holding of elections, notably 
adequate security conditions.  In this regard, he referred to 
current tensions in the country and region.  Picking up on 
the point, I made specific reference to last weekend,s 
attack on Congolese refugees in Burundi and reiterated points 
from the State Department communique issued earlier in the 
week.  I emphasized that the USG is calling for all parties 
to avoid inflammatory rhetoric to avoid further exacerbating 
tensions, and that we also wished to reinforce the need for 
dialogue and cooperation between governments in the Great 
Lakes region.  I offered congratulations for Kabila,s 
decision to stop in Dar es Salaam, expressing the hope that 
this provided an opportunity for contact with Burundian and 
other regional leaders. 
 
5. (C) Kabila summarized general agreements reached in Dar es 
Salaam, including the labeling of the FNL as a terrorist 
organization (Comment: All consistent with reporting from 
Embassy Bujumbura and public statements. End comment). 
Kabila also said that he had dispatched Army Chief of Staff 
General Mbuki,a former RCD-Goma general, to Bukavu and the 
plains of Russisi  to track down and take action for any 
reports of ex-FAR or other Hutu extremist elements in the 
area.  The Burundian President has asked about cross-border 
cooperation, and Kabila had passed along Gen. Mbuki,s 
telephone contact numbers to facilitate cross-border military 
cooperation. 
 
 
Next Tripartite Round 
-------------------------- 
 
6.  (C) In the same vein of regional contact, I noted that we 
believe it of even greater importance to hold the next round 
of the tripartite meetings between Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo 
officials as soon as possible.  While we had offered the 
possibility of Congo as a venue, Ugandan officials had 
indicated that they could not travel soon to Kinshasa, and we 
therefore were proposing the dates of August 24 - 25 in 
Kampala.  I also reported that following that meeting, NSC 
Sr. Africa Director Courville, DAS Yamamoto, and AF/C 
Director Eastham plan to travel to Kinshasa August 26 for 
meetings.  I also noted AF/C Director Eastham plans to travel 
to Bujumbura after Kinshasa. 
 
7. (C) Kabila expressed disappointment that Kinshasa would 
not be the venue for the next round.  He quickly went to say, 
however, that he would send a delegation to Kampala "out of 
respect" for the U.S. Government, and per his previous 
meetings with DAS Yamamoto and other officials.  He said that 
were it not for this respect, he would not be inclined to 
participate given the Rwandan government,s obstructionism to 
come to any agreement regarding the Joint Verification 
Mechanism (JVM).  Kabila noted that there had been an 
agreement for a JVM accord prior to the next tripartite 
round, whereas in fact there has been little to no progress. 
The GDRC is ready to proceed immediately per terms proposed 
by the U.N., and SRSG Swing has assured Kabila that MONUC can 
implement its support within 48 hours.  The JVM is central to 
adressing cross-border tensions and fears, and is critical to 
resolving problems.  For example, there is widespread 
suspision that Rwandans were involved in yesterday,s murder 
of FARDC officers in Goma.  If it already existed, the JVM 
could be used to address the problem, but as of now there is 
nothing.  Kabila said therefore that he will be instructing 
the GDRC delegation to ensure that the JVM is the item on the 
agenda, adding that he found it difficult to see how progress 
could be achieved on anything without some forward movement 
on the JVM. 
 
8. (C) Kabila said he welcomed the planned visit of the three 
officials to Kinshasa and looked forward to meeting with them 
on August 26. 
 
 
The Missing Ruberwa 
-------------------------- 
 
9. (C) I told Kabila that I had reached Vice President 
Ruberwa (note: who represents RCD-Goma) by phone Wednesday 
evening in Goma to convey a message reiterating the 
importance of the transition process and government for the 
future of the Congo, and specifically the interests and 
security of peoples in eastern Congo.  (note: Telcon being 
reported septel).  Kabila said that he had learned of 
Ruberwa,s continuing absence from Kinshasa following the 
Burundi refugee attack while he was already en route to the 
summit in Mauritius.  He had phoned Ruberwa with a similar 
message, accepting Ruberwa's proposal for an international 
inquiry, privately and publicly condemning the attack, but 
affirming the importance of Ruberwa,s continuing 
participation in the transition government.  Kabila said he 
has been unable since to reach Ruberwa, and Ruberwa has 
apparently made no attempt to contact him.  Kabila said he 
welcomed the message that I had conveyed. 
 
10. (C) I also reported that Ruberwa had encouraged me to 
visit Goma.  Kabila rhetorically asked why Ruberwa was trying 
to get everyone to Goma.  I said that Ruberwa ostensibly was 
seeking to encourage greater personal knowledge of the 
situation.  With much of the RCD leadership gathered in Goma 
right now,  however, I also noted that travel to Goma would 
inevitably be misinterpreted by many.  Kabila concurred, 
asserting that travel right now to Goma by the US Ambassador 
would certainly send the wrong message, and would be a "very 
bad idea." 
 
11. (C) Kabila observed that Ruberwa had made "three or four" 
errors in the past few days that would likely cost. 
Nonetheless, he is a Vice President of the Republic, it is 
important for him to return to Kinshasa to make his 
contribution and play a role in the transition.  I said I had 
told Ruberwa that I hoped he would be in Kinshasa before the 
planned visit of the three USG officials.  Kabila echoed that 
sentiment, saying that he believed it would be useful for the 
American visitors to meet with Ruberwa in Kinshasa if 
possible. 
 
 
Sen. Kassebaum,s Visit 
---------------------------- 
 
12. (C) I also reported that Senator Nancy Kassebaum-Baker is 
planning to travel to the DRC, arriving on August 29.  I 
observed that this would likely cause scheduling problems due 
to the expected arrival by President Mbeki at around the same 
time, but expressed the hope that we could work out 
scheduling.   I explained that Sen. Kassebaum-Baker would be 
traveling not as a USG representative, but as a member of the 
Blair Commission.  Kabila acknowledged the scheduling 
problem, offered that perhaps Sen. Kassebaum could conduct 
travel outside of Kinshasa at the beginning of her visit, and 
hold meetings in Kinshasa later in the week.  He indicated 
that he would be pleased to meet with her following Mbeki,s 
departure. 
 
 
Comment 
----------- 
 
13. (C) Kabila showed his greatest emotion in discussing his 
perception of Rwandan foot-dragging regarding the Joint 
Verification Mechanism.  This clearly has risen to the top of 
the Congolese agenda for any discussion with the Rwandans, 
and it is a safe bet that it will be difficult to get the 
Congolese to discuss meaningfully other subjects without some 
forward movement on the JVM.  Kabila was also obviously 
concerned about Ruberwa, critical of some of his actions and 
statements, but reiterating the importance of Ruberwa,s, and 
by implication the RCD,s, continuing engagement in the 
transition process.  Kabila appeared frustrated by Ruberwa,s 
apparent unwillingness to talk, and indeed by the general 
growing tensions along the Rwandan border and in the east in 
general.  He at least however kept the door open to further 
talks on all fronts.  End comment. 
 
 
MEECE