Cablegate: Ciat Statement On Ituri Killings

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000339

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO PHUM PREL MOPS CG CIAT
SUBJECT: CIAT STATEMENT ON ITURI KILLINGS

1. (U) Ambassadors comprising the International Committee to
Accompany the Transition (CIAT) issued a public statement
February 28 strongly condemning the killing of nine
Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Ituri by militiamen on February
25. Copies of the communique were given to President Kabila
and the four vice-presidents during a meeting with CIAT
ambassadors the same day. It appears that about half of those
named in the CIAT statement may have already been arrested by
the GDRC. The following is an unofficial translation of the
CIAT statement:

(Begin Text)

Press Release by the International Committee to Accompany the
Transition (CIAT)

1) The CIAT strongly condemns the premeditated assassination
of one Bangladeshi officer and eight soldiers by Ituri
militia. This attack occurred on February 25 near the
locality of Kafe, where MONUC soldiers were protecting 8,000
people displaced by the militia. It was a brutal attack
against UN troops whose sole objective is to ensure the
security of civilians. It occurred while a CIAT delegation
was in the region to evaluate the causes behind the
resumption of violence in Ituri.

2) The CIAT is seriously concerned about the illegal and
criminal activities of the Ituri militias and their political
and military leaders, including those who were recently
integrated into the FARDC and who are in Kinshasa. The CIAT
refers specifically to Floribert Njabu, president of the FNI,
Goda Sukpa, former military commander of the FNI, and Etienne
Lona, current military commander of the FNI. It also refers
to Thomas Lubanga, president of the UPC and Bosco Ntaganda,
military commander of the UPC whose militia wounded several
MONUC troops in recent weeks. It also refers to Germain
Katanga, leader of the FRPI who is also responsible for the
resumption of violence in Ituri and who is also obstructing
implementation of justice.

3) The CIAT calls for the immediate bringing to justice of
those responsible for the planning and execution of this
heinous act. Additionally, the CIAT calls on the transitional
government to strengthen its support to local authorities and
to the community disarmament and reintegration program in
Ituri. It calls on militia members to enroll in this program,
which will guarantee their return to normal civilian life.
The CIAT warns their respective leaders against any sabotage
of this program, which is one of the pacification measures
taken within the framework of electoral preparations for the
DRC.

4) (The CIAT is composed of the five permanent members of the
Security Council (China, The United States, France, Great
Britain, and Russia), Belgium, Canada, South Africa, Angola,
Gabon, Zambia, The European Union (Commission and
Presidency), the African Union (Commission and Presidency)
and MONUC.)

Done in Kinshasa, February 28 2005

(End Text)

2. (U) Bujumbura minimized considered.
MEECE

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