US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA332

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000332 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MARR, PGOV, PREL, KPKO, CG 
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL REQUEST FROM GDROC FOR U.S. MILITARY 
COOPERATION AND ASSISTANCE 
 
 
1. Embassy received February 24 two letters from DRC Minister 
of Defense Alphonse Onasumba to acting Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of Defense Theresa Whelan, requesting that the U.S. 
 
SIPDIS 
consider reactiving the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) 
with the DRC and provide assistance to the Trilateral 
Agreement by locating the proposed fusion cell in the DRC. 
Informal Embassy translation of the letters follows.  Embassy 
will forward the originals to the Pentagon. 
 
Letter #1 
 
February 24, 2005 
 
Letter of Intent 
 
(complementary opening) 
 
The Congolese Government appreciates its good relations with 
the United States. 
 
I salute the efforts of the U.S. Government to assist the 
transition in the DRC, particularly in the arena of resolving 
general issues of defense and security and in particular, for 
the formation of a new and restructured national army. 
 
The GDROC hopes to reinforce the cooperative relations 
between our two governments in the area of military 
cooperation by revitalizing the existing Status of Forces 
Agreement (SOFA) and by concluding a new agreement on 
Acquisition and Cross-Servicing (ACSA), and notably, seeks 
cooperation in the training of Congolese officers, the 
expansion of the language laboratory, establishment of a 
military program to combat HIV/AIDS, etc. 
 
(complementary close) 
 
Letter #2 
 
February 23, 2005 
 
The GDROC views with the greatest interest the proposal by 
the U.S. to establish a fusion cell in support of the 
Trilateral Agreement. 
 
The GDROC strongly hopes that the U.S. will agree to 
establish this cell on its territory, perhaps in Goma 
(province of North Kivu) or Bukavu (province of South Kivu). 
 
The Congolese Ministry of Defense is prepared to fully 
support the operations of this cell by contributing Congolese 
experts and also by assuring the security of all personnel 
attached to the fusion cell. 
 
It is clear that establishing this Trilateral institution in 
the Congo would greatly improve the workings of the Joint 
Verification Mission (JVM) operating in Goma and soon to 
begin operating in Bukavu. 
 
(complementary close) 
 
2. Bujumbura minimize considered. 
MEECE