Citation
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
C12
RELEASED IN PART
PAGE 01
ACTION A7-01
KAMPAL 02581 01 OF 04 120712Z
INFO LOG-00 ANAD-01 CIAE-00
INRE-00 INR-01
H-01
PM-01
OMB-01 PA-01
SS-01
TRSE-00
SP-01
DODE-00 EUR-01 HA-09
C-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
L-03
RP-10
SNP-01
PRS-01 P-01
USIE-00
/037W
T-01
314A0C 120717Z /38
R 120702Z MAY 92
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2416
INFO AMEMBASSY KIGALI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LAGOS
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 KAMPALA 02581
PARIS FOR FENDRICK
LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
KAMPAL 02581 01 OF 04 120712Z
PAGE 02
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: A/S COHEN'S MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE RPF AND THE RPA
1.
CONFIDENTIAL - ENTIRE TEXT.
2. ON FRIDAY EVENING, MAY 8, 1992, A/S COHEN MET
WITH A DELEGATION REPRESENTING THE RWANDAN PATRIOTIC
FRONT (RPF) AND THE RWANDAN PATRIOTIC ARMY (RPA) AT
THE AMBASSADOR'S RESIDENCE. THE RWANDAN DELEGATION,
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: HARRY R MELONE
DATE/CASE ID: 14 DEC 2006 200503196
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
LED BY COLONEL ALEXIS KANYARENGWE, CHAIRMAN OF THE
RPF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, INCLUDED MAJOR PAUL KAGAME,
VICE CHAIRMAN AND RPA COMMANDER; PASTEUR BIZIMUNGU,
RPF COMMISIONER OF INFORMATION; DR. THEOGENE
RUDASINGWA, RPF DIRECTOR OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS; AND/
IN ADDITIONTO-A-TE --
B6
L
COHEN,U.SRPTAIVESNCLUDMBAOR
CARSON, DCM A. ELLEN SHIPPY AND PAO DUDLEY O. SIMS.
3. COLONEL KANYARENGWE, THE ONLY SPOKESMAN FOR THE
RWANDAN GROUP, BEGAN THE DISCUSSIONS BY THANKING A/S
COHEN FOR RECEIVING THE DELEGATION AND TELLING HIM
THAT THE RPF WANTS THE UNITED STATES TO ASSUME AN
ACTIVE ROLE IN HELPING BRING ABOUT PEACE AND SECURITY
IN RWANDA. HE THEN GAVE AN OVERALL VIEW OF THE
CURRENT EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE COUNTRY AND THE
SURROUNDING AREA. HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM FACING
RWANDA AND THE RWANDAN PEOPLE IS NOT A NEW ONE; THAT
IT HAS EXISTED FOR A LONG TLME. HE BLAMED THE
GOVERNMENT OF HABYARIMANA FOR SOCIAL INJUSTICE IN THE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
KAMPAL 02581 01 OF 04 120712Z
PAGE 03
COUNTRY, GROSS VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND
POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS. HE REMINDED COHEN THAT
SUCH ACTS ARE ALSO NOT NEW BUT HAVE ALSO BEEN
PRACTICED BY FORMER REGIMES IN RWANDA. THE RESULT OF
THESE ACTIONS, HE SAID, HAVE CAUSED MANY OF THE
COUNTRY'S INTELLECTUALS AND ORDINARY CITIZENS TO FLEE
THE COUNTRY AND SEEK REFUGE IN OTHER COUNTRIES. HE
SAID THAT MANY LIVES HAD BEEN LOST AND THAT MANY
RWANDANS HAD RESORTED TO COMMITING SUICIDE. HE
STATED THAT ALL OF THESE ACTS HAD DRIVEN RWANDANS
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY TO TAKE UP ARMS TO
FIGHT TO RECTIFY THE PRESENT SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY
AND TO REGAIN THE RIGHTS THAT ALL RWANDANS NEED TO
HAVE.
4. KANYARENGWE SAID THE GOVERNMENT IN RWANDA IS LIKE
A POWERFUL FAMILY THAT IS NO DIFFERENT FROM A
SOCIALIST GOVERNMENT. HE TOLD THE SECRETARY THAT THE
GOVERNMENT OF HABYARIMANA DOES NOT WANT TO SEE A
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT IN PLACE IN THE COUNTRY. HE
CHARACTERIZED THE GOVERNMENT AS BEING INTRANSIGENT
AND HABYARIMANA AS A MORAL MILITARIST. HE SAID THAT
HABYARIMANA HAS ACCEPTED THE TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY
SOLELY TO PLEASE HIS FRIENDS AND CLOSE ASSOCIATES.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
KANYARENGWE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HABYARIMANA
IS ORGANIZING STATE TERRORISM INSIDE RWANDA AND ON A
REGIONAL BASIS. HE CLAIMED THAT THE RPF HAS REPORTS
CLEARLY IMPLICATING THE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT'S
INVOLVEMENT IN ACTS OF TERRORISM AND ASSASSINATION.
5. KANYARENGWE SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE RPF HAVE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
KANPAL 02581 01 OF 04 120712Z
PAGE 04
RESERVATIONS THAT THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT
BEEN ACCEPTED BY HABYARIMANA. IT IS HIS OPINION THAT
THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED IN
THEORY AS A RESULT OF PUBLIC AND INTERNATIONAL
PRESSURES EXERTED ON HABYARIMANA. HE WAS HAPPY, HE
SAID, THAT THE PEOPLE HAD BEEN LISTENED TO, BUT THAT
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE A PROBLEM IMPLEMENTING THE
PROGRAM PROMISED THE PEOPLE. THE RPF DOES NOT
BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN CHANGE. THE
GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO TRY TO BLOCK CHANGE.
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01
ACTION AF-01
INFO
LOG-00
H-01
OMB-01
SP-01
KAMPAL
AMAD-01
INRE-00
PA-01
SS-01
02581
02 OF 04
CIAE-00
INR-01
PM-01
TRSE-00
120714Z
DODE-00 EUR-01
C-01
NSAE-00
L-03
ADS-00
RP-10
P-01
PRS-01
/037W
T-01
USIE-00
3149D9 120716Z /38
R 120702Z MAY 92
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2417
UNCLASSIFIED
HA-09
NSCE-00
SNP-01
UNCLASSIFIED
INFO AMEMBASSY KIGALI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LAGOS
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 04 KAMPALA 02581
PARIS FOR FENDRICK
LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
KAMPAL 02581 02 OF 04 120714Z
PAGE 02
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: A/S COHEN'S MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
6. KANYARENGWE RECALLED A MEETING THAT RPF
REPRESENTATIVES HAD WITH AMBASSADOR IRVIN HICKS. HE
SAID THAT THEY HAD GIVEN HICKS THEIR OBSERVATIONS
ABOUT THE SITUATION IN RWANDA AND THAT HICKS PROMISED
TO PUT THEM IN CONTACT WITH THE RWANDAN GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE HE RECOGNIZED THAT THEY WERE OPEN-MINDED. HE
SAID THAT HICKS HAD WITNESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF
HABYARIMANA HAD REFUSED TO CARRY ON A DIALOGUE WITH
THEM. HE PRAISED HICKS FOR THE INITIATIVE TAKEN TO
HELP THE RPF GET A DIALOGUE GOING.
7. SPEAKING ABOUT THE FRENCH, KANYARENGWE SAID THAT
THE GOF DOES NOT WANT TO HELP, THAT IT IS IMPLICATED
WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF KIGALI. HE CHARACTERIZED THE
FRENCH AS BEING INFLEXIBLE AND SAID THAT THE RPF
COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS SET BY THE FRENCH
GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE
GOVERNMENT OF HABYARIMANA. THE FRENCH, HE SAID, MUST
RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE A CHANGE.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
8. KANYARENGWE SAID THAT ALL PARTIES SHOULD KNOW THE
RPF IS READY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF
HABYARIMANA IN ORDER TO BRING PEACE AND SECURITY TO
RWANDA. HE SAID THAT THE PATRIOTIC FRONT MUST BE
INCLUDED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND THAT THE FRONT
COULD NOT SUPPORT A CONSTITUTION MADE TO SUPPORT THE
PARTY IN POWER.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03
KAMPAL 02581 02 OF 04 120714Z
9. KANYARENGWE ENDED HIS DISSERTATION BY STATING
THAT THERE WILL NEVER BE A VICTOR IN THIS CIVIL WAR,
THAT IF ANY ONE SIDE CONTINUED TO SEEK A VICTORY OR
TO HAVE WINNERS AND LOSERS, THERE WOULD NEVER BE
PEACE IN RWANDA. THERE WOULD ONLY BE THE OPPRESSORS
AND THE OPPRESSED. HE CONCLUDED THAT THE RPF IS
READY FOR NEGOTIATIONS BECAUSE THE SITUATION, AS IT
IS, IS VERY DIFFICULT.
10. IN HIS REPLY TO KANYARENGWE, A/S COHEN WELCOMED
THE RPF READINESS TO NEGOTIATE AND TOLD KANYARENGWE
THAT THOSE WHO REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE ARE NOT SINCERE
ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE REASONABLE CONVICTIONS TO DO
SO. HE TOLD KANYARENGWE THAT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN
IF THE HABYARIMANA GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO NEGOTIATE.
IF, COHEN SAID, HABYARIMANA VETOES NEGOTIATIONS, WE
WILL KNOW HE IS NOT SINCERE. IF THIS HAPPENS, COHEN
SAID, LIKE ZAIRE, THIS WOULD BE DEMOCRACY A LA
HABYARIMANA.
11. A/S COHEN EXPLAINED TO KANYARENGWE THAT THE USG
IS INTERESTED IN RWANDA BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IT HAS A
HARD WORKING PEOPLE; THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO
CARRY OUT ECONOMIC REFORMS. SELECTING RWANDA AS A
FAVORITE COUNTRY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HABYARIMANA
BUT WITH THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN THE COUNTRY. HE
EQUATED THIS PROGRESS WITH THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN
BURUNDI AND UGANDA. HE EMPHASIZED THE POINT THAT THE
U.S. INVESTED MONEY IN RWANDA BECAUSE WE WANT TO SEE
PEACE AND ECONOMIC GROWTH RETURN TO THE COUNTRY. IF
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04
KAMPAL 02581 02 OF 04 120714Z
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
THE MONEY INVESTED IS OFFSET BY PURCHASE OF ARMS AND
OTHER MILITARY EQUIPMENT, IT IS WASTED AND IS NOT
GOOD FOR US. IT IS MONEY THAT COULD BE USED FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
12. A/S COHEN THEN ASKED KANYARENGWE IF THE RPF
WOULD ACCEPT A DATE TO START NEGOTIATIONS.
KANYARENGWE REPLIED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE AND ADDED THAT
THEY HAD ALREADY PRESENTED A PLAN FOR NEGOTIATIONS
AND THAT THE PLAN MUST BE PUT INTO ACTION. HE SAID
THAT THE RPF IS WILLING TO CEASE FIRE UNILATERALLY.
CARSON
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01
ACTION AF-01
INFO
LOG-00
H-01
OMB-01
SP-01
KAMPAL
AMAD-01
INRE-00
PA-01
SS-01
02581
03 OF 04
CIAE-00
INR-01
PM-01
TRSE-00
120713Z
DODE-00 EUR-01
C-01
ADS-00
NSAE-00
L-03
RP-10
P-01
PRS-01
/037W
USIE-00
T-01
3149D2 120715Z /38
R 120702Z MAY 92
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2418
INFO AMEMBASSY KIGALI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
UNCLASSIFIED
HA-09
NSCE-00
SNP-01
AMEMBASSY LAGOS
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 03 OF 04 KAMPALA 02581
PARIS FOR FENDRICK
LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
KAMPAL 02581 03 OF 04 120713Z
PAGE 02
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: A/S COHEN'S MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
13. IN RESPONSE TO COHEN'S QUESTION AS TO WHAT RPF
SOLDIERS WOULD DO IF THERE IS A CEASE-FIRE,
KANYARENGWE SAID THAT RPF FIGHTERS ARE INSTALLED IN
THE COUNTRY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. HE SAID THAT THE
RPF AND THE RPA WANT SECURITY AND WANT TO HELP BRING
ABOUT PEACE. THEY WANT TO STOP THE HOSTILITIES, TO
HAVE DEMOCRATIC REFORMS AND TO ALLOW PERSONS
DISPLACED BY THE WAR TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES. HE
TOLD COHEN THAT THE SOLDIERS DID NOT WANT A
CEASE-FIRE AND SECURITY IN ORDER NOT TO BE CHASED
LATER BY THE RWANDAN ARMY. HE REITERATED HIS POINT
THAT A NATIONAL CONFERENCE IS NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE
FUTURE OF THE COUNTRY.
14. A/S COHEN ASKED KANYARENGWE IF THE REFUGEES
WOULD SEEK REVENGE IF THEY WERE ALLOWED TO RETURN TO
RWANDA. KANYARENGWE REPLIED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BUT
THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF HABYARIMANA DID NOT BELIEVE
THAT TO BE THE CASE.
15. WHEN A/S COHEN ASKED KANYARENGWE IF THE RPF HAD
ANY NON-NEGOTIABLE DEMANDS, KANYARENGWE REPLIED THAT
THE RIGHT TO RETURN OF REFUGEES IS NOT NEGOTIABLE.
COHEN SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY ACCEPTED
THAT AND ADDED THAT THE RPF WOULD WANT THAT GUARANTEE
INCLUDED IN A PEACE ACCORD. HE FURTHER STATED THAT
HE WAS GOING TO RWANDA TO MEET WITH THE TRANSITIONAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
KAMPAL 02581 03 OF 04 120713Z
PAGE 03
GOVERNMENT TO FIND OUT IF THERE IS A REAL POSSIBILITY
FOR NEGOTIATIONS TO TAKE PLACE.
16. ON COHEN'S QUESTION OF LAYING DOWN ARMS,
KANYARENGWE REPLIED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF
HABYARIMANA WANTS THE RPA TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS AND
TO RETURN. HE EMPHATICALLY STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT
READY TO DO THAT BECAUSE LESSONS OF THE PAST HAVE
SHOWN WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THEY DID SUCH A THING. HE
TOLD COHEN THAT GUARANTEES ARE NEEDED, THAT LAYING
DOWN ARMS IS A PROBLEM. HE SAID THAT THE TWO PARTIES
MUST MEET AND SPEAK FRANKLY ABOUT BRINGING ABOUT
PEACE AND SECURITY IN THE REGION. HE ADDED THAT
THERE MUST BE FULL INTEGRATION OF THE TWO ARMIES.
17. A/S COHEN THEN TOLD KANYARENGWE THAT IT IS NOT
OUR ROLE TO PUSH THESE THINGS; THAT IT IS UP TO THE
TWO PARTIES TO NEGOTIATE; THAT IF ANY SIDE SOUGHT TO
BE A WINNER, THE PROCESS COULD NOT SUCCEED; THAT BOTH
SIDES MUST SEEK A WAY FOR ALL TO BE WINNERS. THERE
SHOULD BE NO LOSERS AS A RESULT.
18. COHEN STRESSED THE FACT THAT A CEASE-FIRE IS NOT
A SIMPLE PROCESS. HE SUGGESTED THAT U.S. AND FRENCH
MILITARY EXPERTS BE USED TO ASSIST WITH THE TECHNICAL
QUESTION AND DETAILS INVOLVED IN MAKING A CEASE-FIRE
STICK
19. WHEN ASKED IF THE RPF HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH
THE FRENCH, KANYARENGWE REPLIED THAT THEY HAD
RESPONDED AFFIRMATIVELY TO FRANCE BUT THAT NO DATE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
KAMPAL 02581 03 OF 04 120713Z
PAGE 04
FOR A MEETING HAD AS YET BEEN FIXED.
20. A/S COHEN FOLLOWED THIS BY GIVING HIS VIEWS ON
THE NATURE OF THE PROCESS. HE SAID THAT THE U.S.
BELIEVES THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST ACCEPT THE IDEA OF
RECONCILIATION AND NEGOTIATE IN THE SPIRIT THAT ALL
ARE BROTHERS.
21. KANYARENGWE INTERJECTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST
SPEAK THE TRUTH AND MUST NOT SEEK A MILITARY VICTORY
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
NNNN
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 01
ACTION AF-01
KAMPAL 02581 04 OF 04 120714Z
INFO LOG-00 AMAD-01 CIAE-00
INRE-00 INR-01
H-01
PM-01
OMB-01 PA-01
TRSE-00
SS-01
SP-01
DODE-00 EUR-01 HA-09
C-01
ADS-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
L-03
RP-10
SNP-01
PRS-01 P-01
/037W
USIE-00
T-01
3149DE 120716Z /38
R 120702Z MAY 92
FM AMEMBASSY KAMPALA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2419
INFO AMEMBASSY KIGALI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA
AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
AMEMBASSY LONDON
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BONN
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LAGOS
CONFIDENTIALSECTION 04 OF 04 KAMPALA 02581
PARIS FOR FENDRICK
LONDON FOR MCKINLEY
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
KAMPAL 02581 04 OF 04 120714Z
PAGE 02
E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PREL
SUBJECT: A/S COHEN'S MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF
BECAUSE THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE. HE SAID THAT
HABYARIMANA FEELS THAT IT IS NECESSARY TO SHOW THE
RWANDAN PEOPLE THAT HE IS THEIR SAVIOR. HE SAID THAT
HABYARIMANA'S POPULARITY IS VERY LOW AND THAT IS THE
REASON HE WANTS TO CONTINUE THE SUFFERING.
22. WHEN KANYARENGWE TOLD COHEN THAT U.S.
INTERVENTION WAS VERY NECESSARY, COHEN REMINDED HIM
THAT FRENCH SENSITIVITIES HAVE TO BE TAKEN INTO
ACCOUNT. HE ADDED THAT THE U.S. DOES NOT WANT ANYONE
TO THINK THAT WE PREFER ONE GROUP OVER THE OTHER. HE
ASSURED KANYARENGWE THAT PRESIDENT BUSH COULD HAVE AN
INFLUENCE OVER HABYARIMANA BECAUSE THEY KNOW EACH
OTHER WELL. HE ALSO ASSURED KANYARENGWE THAT THE
U.S. WOULD ATTEMPT TO HELP THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND
THE START OF NEGOTIATIONS. HE SAID THAT UNLIKE
ZAIRE, THE U.S. STILL CONSIDERS RWANDA A VIABLE
COUNTRY.
23. WHEN COHEN ASKED HIM IF THE RPF HAS
REPRESENTATIVES IN THE U.S., KANYARENGWE TOLD HIM YES
AND ADDED THAT HE AND HIS DELEGATION WERE HAPPY THAT
THE UNITED STATES IS INTERESTED IN THEIR SITUATION.
HE THANKED COHEN FOR THE MEETING AND HANDED HIM A
DOCUMENT OUTLINING THE POINTS RAISED IN THE MEETING.
24. A/S COHEN CLEARED THIS CABLE IN DRAFT.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03
KAMPAL 02581 04 OF 04 120714Z
CARSON
CONFIDENTIAL
UNCLASSIFIED
