MONUC deny the personal remarks of one of its unit commanders in North Kivu and reiterates its full support to the DRC authorities

Kinshasa, 10 July, 2008 - MONUC received evidence, according to which, in mid-April 2008, right before the end of his service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an officer of the Indian contingent commanding a blue helmets base in North-Kivu allegedly made a public statement in Kitchanga, in which he expressed his personal sympathy towards an armed group, the National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), and its leader, Laurent Nkunda.

By this unacceptable declaration which is completely contrary to the spirit and letter of the mandate of United Nations peacekeepers, this blue helmet, in an obvious way, failed in his duty of impartiality and acted in total contradiction to the Security Council resolutions relating to MONUC and its mandate.

His action, as he later recognized himself, was made completely independent of his commanders and the hierarchy of the United Nations Mission in the DRC.

As soon as these facts became known, MONUC required the immediate opening of an investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). MONUC also contacted the high ranking authorities of the Democratic Republic of Congo in order to express, in the firmest manner, its total repudiation of the declarations and the regrettable personal behaviour of this officer.

MONUC also reiterated to the DRC authorities the engagement of the United Nations to continue to work tirelessly alongside them, for the restoration of peace and security in all the country's provinces.

In the event of confirmation of the facts which were reported, MONUC intends to take all the necessary measures so that this officer is sanctioned in accordance with the procedures in force, for his serious deficiencies in his capacity as a peacekeeper after being delegated with authority by the mission.

MONUC also reaffirms its determination to guarantee the strict respect, by all its personnel, of the principles of ethics and impartiality in the exercise of their mandate.