Ross's Plans Contradicted by Internal MONUC Memo

Reuters reports that it has seen an internal UN memorandum that underlines just how unrealistic Alan Doss's plans for the Kivus are. At a press conference on Saturday, Doss indicated that the Congolese army was preparing to launch a second wave of strikes against the FDLR in South Kivu, while MONUC forces maintained control over the areas already seized by the joint Rwandan-Congolese operation in North Kivu.

The memo indicates that at least one person at MONUC knows what most sentient people have known for a long time: namely, that the FARDC are completely incompetent, and MONUC woefully inadequate, to accomplish either of these missions.

From Reuters:

The pullout [of Rwandan forces] has prompted fears within the United Nations' biggest peacekeeping force that the mainly Hutu Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels, who have mostly avoided clashes with the joint force, will seek revenge.

"The planned pullout of (Rwandan) troops raises concerns about the protection of the civilian population, given the limited capacity and professionalism of (Congolese) troops," read an internal U.N. memorandum, which was seen by Reuters.

"Although the FDLR has mostly vacated the areas upon the arrival of the joint forces, it is likely that they are waiting in the bush for the forces to retreat and then come back to retaliate on civilians perceived as being traitors," it said.