Cablegate: Visit of Un High Commissioner for Refugees

VZCZCXRO1037
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1424 3621106
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281106Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7309
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2131
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001424

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREF PGOV PHUM PREL SOCI UN CG
SUBJECT: Visit of UN High Commissioner for Refugees
to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

1. UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres arrived in
Kinshasa December 13 to assess the humanitarian situation in North
Kivu, where 800,000 people have been displaced by ongoing armed
conflicts. He traveled to North Kivu December 15-17, visiting IDP
camps near Goma and Gasasa in Kiwanja, north of Rutshuru town.

2. Gutteres told reporters he was "shocked" by the testimonies of
the atrocities women and children had experienced. He deplored the
current tragedy and promised that UNHCR would enhance its
cooperation with other UN agencies to improve living standards in
the province. He also promised to knock on all doors to find a
durable solution to the present conflict. He deplored the presence
of child soldiers in armed groups, notably on the front lines.

3. Guterres returned to Kinshasa and met with President Kabila
December 17 in Kinshasa before returning to Geneva.

GARVELINK

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