US embassy cable - 04KINSHASA2182

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KINSHASA 002182 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, PHUM, PREF, KPKO, CG 
SUBJECT: A/S HOLMES VISIT TO DRC 
 
1. (U) Summary: During A/S Holmes visit to the DRC Oct 23-28, 
SRSG Swing and staff explained the situation in the DRC and 
MONUC's accomplishments and challenges.  At a luncheon hosted 
by the Ambassador, A/S Holmes learned about preparations for 
DRC elections and disarmament in discussions with DRC's 
electoral commission president and DDR coordinator.  SRSG 
Swing accompanied A/S Holmes and delegation  to visit MONUC 
operation in Bunia and Goma and to a meeting with the 
Governor of North Kivu.  A/S Holmes later visited MONUC 
operations in Bukavu and Kindu, and met with the Governor of 
South Kivu.  A/S Holmes reiterated USG interest in improving 
MONUC's effectiveness, and support for the DRC's transition 
in the DRC, at a meeting of CIAT--the International Committee 
to Support of the Transition.  End Summary 
 
MONUC HQ BRIEFING 
 
2.  (U) On Oct. 24, William L. Swing, UN Special 
Representative of the Secretary General in the DRC, chaired a 
briefing at MONUC HQ for IO A/S Holmes, Ambassador, DCM and 
Poloffs.  MONUC Force Commander Samaila Iliya participated, 
along with MONUC officers from civilian police, political, 
DDR, external affairs, humanitarian, human rights, and 
administrative affairs sections.  A/S Holmes was briefed on 
plans to bolster MONUC,s capacity in the east, with a new 
divisional HQ in Kisangani and more deployments in the Kivus. 
  The SRSG and staff also briefed on plans for a new Deputy 
SRSG, the arms embargo, MONUC,s support for DRC efforts to 
normalize relations with neighboring states, security sector 
reform, and elections.  After the headquarters briefing, A/S 
Holmes visited the studios of Radio Okapi and learned about 
MONUC public affairs operations in a meeting with MONUC,s 
Public Information Director and staff.  Among other issues, 
the briefing covered Radio Okapi,s media support for DDRRR 
operations. 
 
MEETING WITH ELECTORAL COMMISSION PRESIDENT AND DDR 
COORDINATOR 
 
3.  (U) At a luncheon Oct. 24 hosted by the Ambassador, A/S 
Holmes discussed DRC election preparations with Appolinaire 
Malu Malu, president of the DRC independent electoral 
commission, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration 
with DRC Disarmament Commission coordinator Daniel Kawata. 
Both Malu Malu and Kawata stressed the importance of MONUC's 
role in their respective areas of responsibility. 
 
BUNIA 
 
4.  (U) On Oct. 25, SRSG Swing, DCM, and PolCouns accompanied 
A/S Holmes and delegation to Bunia, Ituri District, Orientale 
Province.  Dominique McAdams, Director of MONUC Bunia Field 
Office and her staff briefed A/S Holmes on stabilization, 
MONUC deployments, and major challenges in Ituri, including 
political and humanitarian affairs.  The briefing in Bunia 
also covered issues related to allegations of MONUC sexual 
abuse.  Following the briefing, A/S Holmes visited the town 
of Bunia and a camp for internally displaced persons near 
Bunia airfield. 
 
GOMA 
 
5.  (U) On Oct. 26, M,hand Ladjouzi, head of MONUC Goma 
(North Kivu Province) Field Office, and staff briefed A/S 
Holmes on operations.  A/S Holmes spoke briefly with radio 
reporters in Goma, and later visited the Indian Air Force 
compound facilities, and the South African Task Force One 
compound near Lake Kivu.   Bad weather precluded MONUC 
aircraft from landing at Beni for a scheduled visit at the 
MONUC sub office.  Later, Eugene Serufuli, Governor of North 
Kivu, hosted A/S Holmes, SRSG Swing and delegation for 
dinner. Governor Serufuli spoke, among other issues, about 
his interest in attracting new U.S. investment in North Kivu. 
 On Oct. 27, before departing Goma, A/S Holmes viewed the 
Indian Aviation Contingent helicopters at Goma airfield. 
 
BUKAVU 
 
6.  (U) On Oct. 27, the Indian Aviation Contingent flew A/S 
Holmes and delegation to Bukavu, South Kivu Province.  The 
Vice Governor of South Kivu and MONUC Bukavu Head of Office 
Alpha Sow met A/S Holmes on arrival.   Mr. Sow and Kivu 
Brigade Commander Jan Isberg and staff briefed A/S Holmes on 
the political and security situation in South Kivu.  A/S 
Holmes and delegation visited briefly the town of Bukavu and 
met with Augustin Bulaimu, the Governor of South Kivu and his 
two Vice Governors.  A/S Holmes spoke briefly with radio 
reporters following this meeting and participated in a radio 
interview with Radio Okapi in Bukavu.  Separately, at a 
dinner with the delegation on Oct. 27, A/S Holmes discussed 
problems related to child welfare in the DRC, and 
identification of child combatants with Murhabazi Namegabe, 
program director for a Congolese child welfare and health 
NGO, BVES. 
 
KINDU 
 
7.  (U) On Oct. 28, the Head of the Kindu Office (Maniema 
Province) Marie-France Heliere briefed A/S Holmes on the 
local situation, including DDR, support for the transition 
and humanitarian operations.  A/S Holmes then visited the 
MONUC Uruguayan Riverine Contingent compound on the Lualaba 
River in Kindu. 
 
CIAT MEETING, KINSHASA 
8.  (U) Later on Oct. 28 SRSG Swing hosted a meeting of the 
International Committee for the Support of the Transition 
(CIAT) to discuss the November 2004 mission of the UNSC to 
Central Africa.  A/S Holmes, accompanied by the Ambassador, 
briefed the members of the committee on his visit to the DRC, 
the USG,s interest in improving MONUC,s effectiveness, and 
support for the transition. 
 
IO Assistant Secretary Holmes clears the cable. 
MEECE