US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA404

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ITURI CALM IN WAKE OF MONUC ACTION

Identifier: 05KINSHASA404
Wikileaks: View 05KINSHASA404 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Kinshasa
Created: 2005-03-08 15:59:00
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Tags: PGOV KPKO MOPS PHUM PREL CG
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000404 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, KPKO, MOPS, PHUM, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: ITURI CALM IN WAKE OF MONUC ACTION 
 
REF: A. KINSHASA 355 
 
     B. KINSHASA 370 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY:  The site of a recent MONUC military 
operation in Ituri is now calm and people are returning to 
their homes, according to NGO sources who visited the area 
March 5-7.  Several international NGOs and UNICEF also 
resumed providing humanitarian assistance to 
internally-displaced people at Tche and Kahwa. END SUMMARY. 
 
Ituri Calm Following MONUC Operation 
------------------------------------ 
2. (SBU) The security situation in Ituri has improved since 
MONUC's successful operation on March 1 against Front for 
National Integration (FNI) militiamen in Loga (reftels), 
according to U.N. and NGO sources.  A team from the NGO 
German Agro Action (AAA) visited Loga on March 5 and 7, found 
the area calm, and noted that the local, ethnic Lendu 
population had started to return.  The security situation in 
Bunia remained calm as well. 
 
MONUC Action Pre-Empted Militia Attack 
-------------------------------------- 
3. (SBU) Several Ituri-based sources have since reported that 
FNI militiamen had previously used Loga as a base to launch 
attacks against Hema villages near Djugu, and were already 
preparing to attack an internally-displaced persons camp at 
Tche when the MONUC operation took place.  An NGO source also 
reported that Hemas from Katoto (5 kms from Loga) have 
invited the Lendu population of Loga to come to their village 
on March 12 for market day. In the source's opinion, the 
invitation indicates locals' desire to co-exist, despite 
militia leaders' efforts to foster ethnic tensions. 
 
Humanitarian Aid Begins Flowing Again 
------------------------------------- 
4. (U) The same source said the IDP camp at Tche had grown 
from 15,000 in January to 18,000-20,000 in March, while the 
IDP camp at Kahwa remains at 12,000-15,000.  NGOs have 
resumed providing assistance to both camps, after temporarily 
suspending their efforts following the killing of nine 
Bangladeshi peacekeepers and MONUC's military engagement at 
Loga.  AAA, OXFAM, MSF and UNICEF continue to provide food, 
water and sanitation, and medical assistance to both camps. 
 
5. (U) Bujumbura minimize considered. 
MEECE 

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