US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA791

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 000791 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MASS, PGOV, PREL, CG 
SUBJECT: ANGOLAN-TRAINED CONGOLESE TROOPS LOOK GOOD - 
COMPARATIVELY SPEAKING 
 
 
Classified By: PolCouns MSanderson, reasons 1.4 b/d. 
 
1. (C)  PolCouns attended the May 6 "graduation" ceremony for 
the two brigades of Congolese troops trained by the Angolans 
at Kitona base (in Bas-Congo province).  The visit was 
organized by the Angolan Ambassador and Chief of the 
Congolese Army General Kisempia, and several CIAT Ambassadors 
(including the French, British and South African) and SRSG 
William Swing attended, as did Congolese Minister of Defense 
Adolphe Onusumba and the Angolan chief of the army.  Compared 
to the average Congolese soldier -- and especially given 
private complaints by the Angolan trainers that they hadn't 
been given good troops with which to work -- the graduating 
soldiers were pretty good.  Although they had to stand at 
parade rest for almost four hours (thanks to the late arrival 
of the Defense Minister and the two army chiefs) the soldiers 
did not break ranks and, when the dignitaries did arrive, the 
troops snapped into "present arms" in perfect sychronization, 
marching in step and rank order.  They also conducted a field 
exercise using live ammunition (including live morter rounds, 
which startled the onlookers). 
 
2. (C)  Comment:  These are the major Congolese elements 
intended to work with Monuc in combatting the FDLR elements 
in the two Kivus, should military action be needed.  Even 
with their Angolan trainers accompanying them, however (which 
currently is the plan), and despite their fairly remarkable 
progress (by Congolese terms) they are far from ready for a 
lead role in fighting the FDLR.  They might, however, be able 
to accompany the Pakistani and Indian troops in a 
well-defined supporting role. 
DOUGHERTY