US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1203

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001203 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2015 
TAGS: PGOV, KPKO, PREL, MOPS, CG 
SUBJECT: MONUC OPERATIONS AGAINST FDLR A SUCCESS---WITHIN 
LIMITS 
 
REF: KINSHASA 01099 
 
Classified By: Polcouns Mel Sanderson for Reasons 1.4 B and D 
 
1. (C) Summary: During MONUC's weekly diplomatic meeting July 
20, MONUC Military Chief of Staff General Jean Francois 
D'Escury discussed MONUC's initiatives to address the FDLR 
problem, particularly in South Kivu. D'Escury stated that 
MONUC's recent military operations had been a success, 
expressed concern about FARDC soldiers' limited ability to 
support operations, and explained that there would be a brief 
technical halt in operations while reaffirming that MONUC 
would continue FDLR repatriation operations. End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) MONUC's Military Chief of Staff General Jean 
Francois D'Escury opened MONUC's weekly diplomatic meeting 
with a brief overview of MONUC's current efforts to address 
the FDLR problem in South Kivu. D'Escury reported that since 
July 4 MONUC had conducted ten cordon-and-search operations 
in South Kivu, including Operations Falcon Sweep (reftel), 
Iron Fist and Thunderstorm. As a result of these operations, 
MONUC successfully cleared out 13 FDLR camps and 1000 FDLR 
combatants from the Walungu and Karambe territories (about 10 
km east and 50 km southeast of Bukavu). 
 
3. (C) D'Escury also said he was concerned that the Congolese 
soldiers' transport difficulties could jeopardize the success 
of MONUC operations. FARDC soldiers are specifically 
responsible for staking out areas cleared by MONUC to insure 
that FDLR members do not return, however, they have been too 
slow to keep up with MONUC peacekeepers, and cleared areas 
are left unwatched. At this point it remains unclear whether 
FDLR members have rebuilt their old camp sites. (NOTE: The 
FDLR camps are rudimentary in nature and comprised of mostly 
huts, making FDLR reinstallement relatively easy. END NOTE.) 
MONUC noted that peacekeepers' fatigue was also becoming a 
problem. 
 
3. (C) MONUC will briefly halt cordon-and-search operations 
in South Kivu in order to give peacekeepers a rest and 
perform equipment maintenance. D'Escury concluded by 
reassuring diplomats that Operation Thunderstorm was not the 
last of MONUC's FDLR operations to encourage FDLR 
repatriation. 
 
4. (SBU) Comment: It appears that MONUC's operations have had 
initial success, and are pushing FDLR combatants out of their 
previously "safe zone" operating areas. At this point, 
however, this means they are moving further into the forested 
areas further east in the region, and it is not clear whether 
these efforts will succeed in producing larger-scale 
repatriation to Rwanda. The Ambassador and other members of 
CIAT just completed a trip to South Kivu with briefings and 
field visits hosted by the Pakistani forces conducting these 
operations. Observations from this trip will be reported 
septels. End Comment. 
MEECE