Cablegate: Congolese Foreign Minister Concerned About Timing of Fdlr

VZCZCXRO9781
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0207 0591348
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 281348Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7601
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000207

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC ASEC KPKO CG RW ETTC
SUBJECT: Congolese foreign minister concerned about timing of FDLR
resolution

Ref: State 16195

1. (SBU) Foreign Minister Mbusa Nyamwisi told us February 21 he
agreed with the idea of an UN Security Council resolution on the
FDLR but had concerns about its timing. Mbusa is the Congolese
signatory to the Nairobi communique with Rwanda, and has been
working to organize a meeting with FDLR faction leaders as part of
the "sensitization" campaign the Congolese government committed to
in the communique. He expressed concern that a resolution adopted
by the Security Council prior to or immediately following the
meeting could play into FDLR members' worst fears and hamstring the
campaign to persuade them to lay down their arms.

2. (SBU) Mbusa asked that adoption of a resolution be delayed until
around two weeks after the meeting. He noted the meeting with FDLR
factions would take place in Kisangani, and target FDLR splinter
groups at odds with the group's hardline leaders. He said that a
date had not yet been agreed, but speculated on an early March
timeframe. (Note: We understand from other sources that a
committee at the foreign ministry has been working for some time
behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for the meeting. End
note.)

3. (SBU) Mbusa appealed for timing the adoption of the resolution
for around two weeks after the meeting. Under the scenario above,
he recommended a target date of late March. He said that if the
Security Council adopts a resolution before the meeting it would
scare participants away; too soon afterward would be seen as a slap
in the face for those leaders who had spent political capital to
participate.

4. (SBU) Mbusa left the following day on extended travel. We plan
to follow up with him on his return.

CLOUD

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