US embassy cable - 05KINSHASA1798

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001798 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2015 
TAGS: PREL, MOPS, UG, CG 
SUBJECT: PRESIDENCY ALARMED BY EUROPEAN REPORTS OF UGANDAN 
INTENTIONS 
 
 
Classified By: AMBASSADOR ROGER MEECE.  REASON 1.4 (b/d) 
 
1. (C) The Ambassador was called to the Presidency Friday 
afternoon, October 28.  Upon arrival, President Kabila was in 
another meeting, but Chief of Staff She Okitundu received the 
Ambassador to relay Kabila,s message.  The gist was that 
"Europeans" had provided reports to the Presidency which 
concluded that "all indications" were that Ugandan President 
Museveni was preparing for military incursion(s)into DRC 
territory.  Okitundu asked if the U.S. had any corresponding 
information, and as well for the U.S. to express its 
opposition to any unilateral cross-border action in the 
region.  Okitundu did not identify which European country or 
countries had supplied the reported information.  In response 
to the Ambassador,s questions as to the specific basis for 
the reports, Okitundi reiterated simply that the European 
concern had been summarized as being based on the information 
available to them. 
 
2. (C) The Ambassador responded that he was not aware of any 
similar information, nor in fact any corroborating evidence 
of pending Ugandan cross-border actions.  On the contrary, in 
recent weeks there had been Congo-Ugandan bilateral military 
discussions facilitated by MONUC, and Tripartite Plus talks 
in Kampala facilitated by the U.S.  The U.S. had made it very 
clear in those fora as well as other private and public 
messages that we believed that cooperation between Uganda and 
the DRC represented the best path forward to address threats 
to security posed by the LRA and other "negative forces." 
Indeed, we were encouraged that some of the growing tension 
indicated by statements in early October seems to have 
abated.  Cross-border unilateral action in the region clearly 
poses a risk to the region,s stability.  We would continue 
to use our efforts to promote increased regional cooperation 
through, for example, the Tripartite process and the 
establishment of the Kisangani-based Fusion Cell, and 
encourage the maximum amount of bilateral and regional policy 
and operational coordination and cooperation possible.  While 
we certainly continue to be very attentive to the situation 
in the region, we had no information to support the 
contention that Uganda was actively preparing for any 
unilateral incursions into the DRC. 
 
3. (C) Okitundu thanked the Ambassador for the information, 
and asked that we remain in contact regarding any relevant 
information on the subject. 
 
4. (C) While in a waiting area, the Ambassador encountered 
Presidency Special Advisor for Security Samba Kaputo.  The 
Ambassador raised the issue of LRA presence in northeastern 
DRC with Kaputo, and asked about any developments.  Kaputo 
repeated familiar assertions that the DRC did not want the 
LRA in the DRC, and was ready to move against them should 
they return.  He reiterated that the government has no 
knowledge of any LRA elements now in the DRC, but noted that 
the FARDC have roughly two battalions deployed in the Aba 
area to respond to any LRA attempt to return.  He also stated 
again that should anyone have information as to an LRA 
location in the DRC, he asks it be passed along so the FARDC 
can be deployed to the location to move against the LRA 
elements present. 
 
5. (C) Comment:  The reported European alarm seems a bit odd. 
 The Kabila/Okitundu expression of concern to us may be 
exactly what it was presented to be, a concern based on a 
European report, or it may have been an attempt to 
cross-check whether the U.S. had any corresponding 
information.  The tone of Okitundu,s presentation was open 
and straightforward, without any hostility, belligerent 
rhetoric, request for action against Uganda, or other 
suggestions to indicate an additional agenda.  It may be that 
the reported European warning simply represents some dated 
information from early October that only now made its way 
forward.  The concern expressed, however, is also a pretty 
clear indicator of the continuing unease and uncertainty at 
the Presidency regarding Kampala,s actions and intent.  End 
comment 
MEECE