Cablegate: Monuc Requests 2,785 More Troops, Air Assets For

VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1004 3082206
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 032206Z NOV 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5245
INFO RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI PRIORITY 0294
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA PRIORITY 1647

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001004

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPKO CG RW
SUBJECT: MONUC REQUESTS 2,785 MORE TROOPS, AIR ASSETS FOR
EASTERN DRC

REF: USUN 992

1. (SBU) See ACTION REQUEST, paragraph 4.

2. (SBU) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon wrote to the
Security Council on October 31 (text forwarded to IO), asking
for expeditious consideration of MONUC's request for
additional security assets. The request, drafted by the
UN's Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and
attached to Ban's letter, states "the resources available to
the Mission are not commensurate to the security challenges
on the ground," in light of the recent offensive by General
Nkunda's CNDP rebel group. It also notes "In
view of the near total disintegration of the (DRC army) FARDC
in face of advancing CNDP troops, MONUC has become the only
organized force in Goma and has been compelled to step in to
substitute for the role of the national security forces."
The additional assets requested would result in an increase
of 2,785 troops to MONUC's authorized military strength and
300 to its Formed Police Unit strength.

3. (SBU) The report notes the additional capacities required
for the effective implementation of the mandate include:
i). Two Infantry Battalions (850 each) and two Special
Forces Companies (150 each) as a rapid reaction force and
reserve
ii). Air assets including 18 utility helicopters and two
C-130 Hercules aircraft
iii). Rapid Reaction Force/Special Forces
iv). Additional Information Analyisis Capability
(approximately 50 additional personnel)
v). One Engineer Company (175)
vi). 200 Military training instructors/advisors to enhance
ongoing FARDC training
vii). Two additional Formed Police Units (150 each).

4. (SBU) ACTION REQUEST: Mission requests the Department's
guidance regarding this request as soon as possible.

Khalilzad

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