US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA1607

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 001607 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, PINS, PREL, CG, INR 
SUBJECT: FARDC'S FIRST INTEGRATED ARMY BATTALION DEPLOYED 
TO ITURI 
 
Classified By: Poloff Gons Nachman for Reasons 1.5 B and D 
 
1. (U) Summary. The first battalion of the Armed Forces of 
the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) was deployed to 
Ituri the week of August 16. MONUC views this initial 
deployment of 750 soldiers as a test of FARDC's commitment to 
support its soldiers. These soldiers will serve in 
peace-keeping support operations such as guarding 
installations. MONUC is cautiously optimistic that with 
appropriate guidance and support, this brigade will be able 
to make a positive difference in Ituri, although this remains 
to be seen. End Summary. 
 
FARDC Deploys Battalion with Promises of Support 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
2. (C) Poloff met with Gerold Gerard, MONUC senior poloff 
August 24, to discuss deployment of the first battalion of 
FARDC's integrated brigade to Ituri during the week of August 
16. The first 750 soldiers were deployed to Bunia with basic 
transportation equipment donated by Belgium, arms provided by 
the GDRC, and a promise to MONUC from General Kisempia, Chief 
of Staff of the Congolese Armed Forces, that FARDC would 
provide salaries to these soldiers on a regular basis. 
 
MONUC Supports Deployment: Time to Test FARDC's Commitment 
--------------------------------------------- ------------- 
 
3. (C) Gerald said that MONUC was supportive of this initial 
deployment of FARDC's integrated brigade to Ituri. FARDC does 
not have the resources to deploy the second and third 
battalions of this brigade before November or December. This 
will give MONUC sufficient time to evaluate the performance 
of the first group of soldiers and the level of support 
provided by the GDRC. It will also free UN peace-keepers from 
simple static tasks like guarding the tribunals, the prison, 
and other facilities. 
 
4. (C) According to Gerard, Ituri armed groups have said in 
the past that they did not want to negotiate with MONUC, but 
with a Congolese army. They have advocated for the presence 
of an unified army in Ituri and the reintegration of the 
district into the national territory. Now there is an 
integrated national army presence in Ituri as demanded, and a 
new district commissioner and local administrators appointed 
by the national government. 
 
5. (C) Gerard noted that the first contingent of FARDC's 
brigade could also assist MONUC in providing security at 
transit sites for disarmament of militias under the 
demobilization and community reinsertion (DRC) program due to 
start September 1st. He said that fifty to sixty FARDC 
soldiers could be deployed to each of the five transit sites 
in Ituri to address security concerns by militias who are 
reluctant to disarm. 
 
Obstacles to Disarmament in Ituri Remain 
---------------------------------------- 
 
6. (C) Although MONUC is planning to inaugurate the DRC 
program in Ituri September 1st, serious obstacles remain. 
Militia leaders have expressed disappointment that none of 
them were included in a long list of military appointments 
and promotions recently enacted by the government. They have 
told MONUC that they feel that the GDRC has failed to follow 
through on its promises made earlier in the year in Kinshasa. 
Some of them now feel that they have less of an incentive to 
persuade their followers to participate in the disarmament 
program. 
 
7. (C) In Gerard's view, the massacre of Banyamulenge 
refugees in Burundi will make it more difficult to convince 
Hemas from the Union of Congolese Patriots (UPC) and from the 
Party for the Unity and Safeguarding of the Integrity of 
Congo (PUSIC) to participate in disarmament. Hemas have 
expressed an affinity for Tutsis and some of them have 
pointed to this massacre as evidence of what could happen to 
them if they gave up their arms. Lendus on the other hand, 
feel protected by the arrival of FARDC's first battalion 
(Note: The commander of this first FARDC battalion is part of 
the former government's army (FAC) who was viewed as 
pro-Lendu. The second and third battalions of this brigade 
are commanded by members of the Rally for Congolese 
Democracy-Goma (RCD-G) and the National Liberation Movement 
(MLC) respectively. End Note.) 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
8. (C) MONUC has shifted its position on deployment of 
FARDC's integrated brigade to Ituri from initial opposition 
to cautious support. The first battalion deployed to Ituri 
has received the training necessary for the basic 
peace-keeping support operations it has been assigned as well 
as the necessary equipment. Additionally, MONUC has promised 
to guide them during this initial phase and help familiarize 
them with conditions in Ituri. The GDRC knows that the 
reputation of its armed forces rests on this brigade. If the 
government follows through on its promise to make regular 
salary payments to this initial contingent of its integrated 
brigade then there is reason for cautious optimism. This 
remains to be seen. The GDRC should also work to reassure the 
people of Ituri that FARDC's newly deployed integrated 
brigade will serve everyone in the district regardless of 
ethnicity. 
MEECE