Cablegate: Next Steps for Joint Verification Team

VZCZCXRO9535
OO RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #0900 2941336
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201336Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8627
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUZEJAA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000900

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS KPKO CG
SUBJECT: Next Steps For Joint Verification Team

REF: KINSHASA 886

1. (SBU) Summary: Goma Poloff spoke with members of the Goma-based
Joint Verification Team (JVT) to determine next steps following the
GDRC's formal request to investigate Rwandan support of the CNDP
(reftel). The JVT team leader said that the process, from
submission of the request until a final report is issued, should
last 3-4 weeks. The most recent verification mission, which is
still technically open, was in February 2008 in response to Rwandan
allegations of FARDC-FDLR collaboration. End Summary.

The JVT Process
---------------

2. (SBU) On October 17, Goma Poloff met separately with Sosthene
Yotto, the AU's representative to the Goma Joint Verification Team
(JVT), and with Lieutenant Colonel Tapas Masri, the JVT team leader,
to discuss next steps in response to DRC Foreign Minister Mbusa's
October 9 request (reftel) to activate the Joint Verification
Mechanism (JVM). Masri said that Mbusa's letter to the SRSG
represented a formal request to the Joint Verification Secretariat
(JVS) to examine whether the allegations were within the realm of
the JVM. (Note: the JVS provides direct support to the envoy-level
Joint Verification Commission. End Note.)

3. (SBU) If the JVS determines that the complaint warrants an
investigation, it will alert the JVM team leader. Masri predicted
that this would happen around October 25. Masri will then convene
the JVT to establish methods, timeline, locations and logistics
(provided by MONUC) for the verification mission. The team will
execute the mission within five days of the alert, normally
completing its work in one day, although it can take more time, if
needed. The team leader then issues an interim report, with a final
report five days afterwards. From initial submission of the
allegations until the final report, the timeline is usually 3-4
weeks.

Composition of the JVT
----------------------

4. (SBU) The African Union delegation to the JVT currently consists
of two Beninese and three Kenyans. Rwanda and the DRC are
represented by delegations of three to four individuals, while MONUC
provides one military observer (Masri). When there is no on-going
investigation, the AU delegation has very little to do. Rwandan and
Congolese JVT members carry out their regular "day jobs" on their
respective sides of the border, participating in the occasional JVT
meeting as required and when a verification mission is scheduled.
(Note: Both the GDRC and AU have individuals on the JVT that also
attend the weekly Joint Monitoring Group meetings. End Note.)
Meetings are supposed to take place every two weeks, although the
Rwandans did not attend the October 2 meeting due to security
concerns about Goma. There is a similar team in Bukavu.

Last Verification: February 2008
--------------------------------

5. (SBU) The Goma team last carried out a verification mission in
February 2008 in Rutshuru in response to GOR allegation of FARDC
collaboration with the FDLR. The mission was unable to confirm the
allegations. Rwanda requested that the mission be continued by
helicopter overflight. MONUC asked the Rwandan side to provide
locations to over fly, since Rutshuru is a large area. To date, the
investigation is technically still open, pending Rwanda's submission
of desired overflight areas.

BROCK

© Scoop Media