Cablegate: Ituri Update: Fardc Takes Back Juba Territory

VZCZCXRO5515
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1931 3621305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281305Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5355
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001931

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: ITURI UPDATE: FARDC TAKES BACK JUBA TERRITORY
POSTS

REF: KINSHASA 1922

1. (SBU) FARDC forces reportedly took back all Juba
territory FARDC posts attacked by Peter Karim's FNI on
December 24 (reftel). By the morning of December 26, the
FARDC posts near the towns of Fataki, Djugu, and Bulle were
recaptured, according to MONUC sources. However, FNI forces
attacked the FARDC Fataki camp later that afternoon, and
fighting continued there on December 27. Local sources
reported that FARDC forces had also retaken the nearby towns,
but this has not been confirmed by MONUC. MONUC confirmed
that FARDC suffered 19 casualties in the fighting, and the
FNI took 15 FARDC troops hostage. The number of casualties
among the FNI is not known.

2. (SBU) FNI leader Peter Karim requested talks with MONUC
on December 27. MONUC officers reportedly told him such
talks would be possible only if the FNI stopped fighting and
released all FARDC hostages. A visiting GDRC delegation
headed by Vice Minister of Defense Bernard Mena is set to
hold a meeting with Karim on December 28. According to
MONUC, Karim has agreed to release three FARDC hostages prior
to the meeting.
DOUGHERTY

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