US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1099

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001099 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, KPKO, PREL, MOPS, CG 
SUBJECT: MONUC OPERATION SENDS SIGNAL TO FDLR 
 
 
Classified By: Polcouns Mel Sanderson for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C)  On July 4 MONUC launched operation "Falcon Sweep" in 
the territories of Walungu and Karambe (located about 10km 
east and 50 km south east of Bukavu, South Kivu). The small 
(about 80-man) mission is designed primarily to determine the 
locations of FDLR elements, particularly concentrations of 
so-called Rastas, and to provide information on the strengths 
and weaknesses of the FDLR in the area.  This intelligence 
could serve as the basis for future, more extensive 
operations.  While not the beginning of a MONUC military 
action against the FDLR, the presence of Pakistani 
peacekeepers in one of the zones with heavy FDLR presence is 
designed to send a clear signal to the negative forces that 
they should actively consider utilizing the voluntary return 
option. MONUC also hopes that, as has been the case with 
militias in Ituri, by moving into areas with significant 
negative force presence that it will begin to reduce the 
FDLR's effective freedom of operations, and in turn ratchet 
up the pressure on the FDLR to depart or risk conflict. 
 
2. (C)  Comment: MONUC's progressive strategy of increasing 
pressure against the FDLR comes in the wake of the apparent 
failure of the Sant' Egidio diplomatic effort, and it 
represents a first step to put pressure on the FDLR to disarm 
and repatriate. Similar tactics in Ituri have greatly 
diminished the numbers of active militia in Province 
Oriental, but it is far from clear that these relatively 
limited tactics will be as effective against the entrenched 
FDLR.  End Comment. 
MEECE