Argentine - Zaire Meetings

[Naio90]

As previously agreed on high-level talks, the Government of Argentina and Zaire agreed to form a council of experts to discuss the steps to be taken in roder to increase bilateral and commercial exchange between both nations, mainly through the investment and development of infrastructure in Zaire through argentine capitals.

To discuss this, a group consisting of the Secretary of International Trade, the Director for Foreign Investments, the ambassador of Argentina in Kenia (with jurisdiction over Zaire), experts from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy and Finances and a group of businessmen and investors would travel to Kinshasa to meet with their zairean counterparts.

At the same time, the argentine Ministry of Defense would form a delegation to meet with their counterparts from Zaire in order to discuss the deployment of troops to the extraction and production areas of Zaire.

JJSmithJr

 

[JJSmithJr]

Within Kinshasa, at the Ministry of Foreign Affars, two large meeting rooms would be prepared and secured. One for the delegation for internal development, and one for the delegation for defense topics. Most members of the Zairian Cabinet would be present for one meeting or the other, with Joseph Kabila leading the meeting for internal development and Nzanga Mobutu leading the meeting for defense topics from the Zairian side.

Once all the Argentinean delegates had arrived they would be driven to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ushered into their respective meetings rooms, the rooms would be then shut for privacy, as both meetings were private. Encrypted phone lines would connect the two meeting rooms in case the need for cross communication arose.

Both delegations would greet each other before taking their respective seats.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting.

The Secretary of International Trade, as the highest ranking authority in the delegation would make the opening statement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is a pleasure to be here today, leading this argentine delegation to Zaire with the objective to heavily increase bilateral cooperation for the benefit of both our nations and populations. The Argentine Republic has long been seeking a partner in Africa, to use as hub to further our activity in this beautiful continent, and what better than a nation, so rich in resources and potential such as Zaire. We are confident that with the right policies and decisions, under the current Government, this country is destined for success. And we want to contribute to it by helping develop the infrastructure, increase the productivity and create jobs and profit for the zairean population.

Our intention today is to first discuss the main infrastructure projects needed to connect the production and extraction zones with the exporting ports, to lower logistical costs and increase the nations income through export benefits and import taxes. A better infrastructure and better logistic is also a welcome sight for new entrepeneurs and therefore growth and prosperity through the private sector.

Furthermore, it is important that afterwards we discuss the relocation of argentine investment offices and private company regional centers to Kinshasa."


Security meeting

With a more martial tone, the appointed representative of the Ministry of Defense delegation would address its counterparts, offering formal assistance from the Argentine Armed Forces to Zaire to secure and protect extraction operations until Zaire had their own troops ready to take over. It would be asked how many sites and areas neede to be protected and an estimate of the personnel needed.



Both meetings would be private.

JJSmithJr

 

[Naio90]

JJSmithJr

 

[JJSmithJr]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

Kabila, would in turn address the delegations.

"This is a historical meeting, with the potential to greatly effect the future of geopolitics in the region, as well as shape the lives of everyday Africans moving forward for generations, further through partnership with Argentina, further markets will be opened for the minerals of Zaire, and the Argentine economy will be able to rapidly advance in the areas of new technology development. This will surely be to both of our benefits.

As has been indicated in previous discussions, it is the belief of our government that the largest crisis facing the Congo is the clean water crisis, however this crisis cannot be solved with the proper investment and care until the infrastructure within the Congo is restored and advanced well beyond the levels before the Second Congo War. Zaire, lacking in the area of technical experts to undertake the necessary projects has reached out to fix this glaring issue, already students from Zaire are attending Universities in Ireland and the Netherlands, learning the skills necessary to take us forward. We would be foolish to miss the opportunity to also arrange a similar visa and exchange agreement with Argentina, here at this meeting.

Beyond sending our students to Argentina, it has been previously indicated and agreed that the contracting of Argentine Industrial and Infrastructure firms, to bring in technical experts and plan projects for Zaire. This will allow the immediate undertaking of vital infrastructure projects such as the modernization of the Matadi-Kinshasa route to complete the rail bridge line over the Matadi Bridge as well as expand the traffic capacity of the Highway between Matadi and Kinshasa.

Further, Argentina has spoken of the potential of using Zaire as its commercial and trading hub or its Sub Saharan African trade and commercial network, our own government would be very amiable to such an agreement, and would be open to searching for suitable land to build headquarters and associated infrastructure. Within all of this we would also like to offer the expansion of Argentine culture and influence within Zaire itself. We would be very interested in funding joint schools within Zaire where our students could learn Spanish, and be fast tracked to Argentine University and contracted company jobs."

Security meeting

Nzanga Mobutu would speak at the security meeting.

"We would like to thank the Argentine government for their offer of peacekeeping and security assistance, while our local police forces have undergone major overhauls and the general peace a security situation on the ground is stable, we seek to keep it that way, and to do this we must not allow the rise of warlordism as our economic situation has now allowed for the reopening of mineral deposits and mining operations, to ensure that warlordism is kept at bay, but to also ensure the immediate reopening and exploitation of our vaste mineral network, we require outside security forces to secure mineral sites, aid stations, transit networks, and warehouse distribution centers.

We have already accepted and are receiving a peacekeeping force of 600 from Great Britain to aid in this task, they will be primarily working out of the Goma region, and we look forward to collaboration between all three of our governments. As for your own peacekeeping force we would welcome a force of equal size from Argentina, and would suggest that they primarily operate out of Bumba Air Force Base, from here they would primarily be tasked with the patrol of the Congo River, as well as the mineral deposits in the northern area of the country.

Further, as we look to expand and reorganize our own armed forces we are in the need of numerous pieces of heavy equipment, some of which we are aware could be purchased from the Argentine defense industry, specifically we would be interested in acquiring x128 FMA IA-58A Pucara."

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

"We concur with the logistic importance of the Matadi–Kinshasa Railway. Being over 100 years old, and lacking proper modernization, a significant investment in it would mean the redution of the time required to haul goods from one point to the other, also allowing to employ larger trains and reuslt in a overall reduction of the transport costs, making therefore zairean goods way more competitive on the international market. We think that a first stage to replace the old rails and signals would be in order followed by a second stage that would expand the terminals on each end of the line, allowing for bigger capacity to receive, process and dispatch goods. A more efficient linking system between the Matadi rail terminal and port would also allow faster turn-around times for the loading and unloading of commercial ships."

​

"Furthermore, a new line connecting Kinshasa and Ilebo would significantly reduce transport costs and times for resources extracted in the interior of Zaire. Initially we could make use of the existing infrastructure from Ilebon onwards, but ideally it would also need to be modernized.

As for the commercial and logistics hub, we would be VERY interested in acquiring land in Kingshasa to cosntruct a building complex for argentine companies to operate from. They would also include commercial and residential areas open to be rented and bought by local entrepeneurs and residents. If you can come up with a some option, we are willing to acquire the land in an full up front payment and being planning and construction.

Regarding your water supply, do you have some more information on how the watering and sewage system works? At least in Kinshasa.

As for the visa requirement reduction to stimulate zairean students attending argentine universities... We take the proposal and double by proposing a subsidy program for zairean nationals to study in Argentina. If they can keep up a decent attendance and good grades, Argentina will assist them financially in their housing and living costs."


Security meeting

"I see, the british... Well you surely know we had our fair share of issues. While we do not doubt their intentions, take our advise and do not let them go around too freely. You don't want a "Rule Britannia" neo-colonialistic revival, believe me.

With that said, of course you can count with Argentina's support on the matter. We currently have a significant deployment nearby in Zimbabwe. But given the recent GA involvement, we are unsure about the future of said operation. We don't want to be in the middle of their maneuvers and also do not share some of the modus operandis. We could very well relocate and reconfigure the main role of the deployed forces to serve your interests better.

As for the military equipment, the Pucara is perfectly suited for COIN missions and operations from irregular fields. Just let us know and we will make sure you get a good price on those planes."

JJSmithJr

 

[JJSmithJr]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

"We agree that the Matadi-Kinshasa route is the most urgent in need of modernization, expansion, and renewal, further we would also like to expand and revitalize the N1 Highway link between Matadi and Kinshasa. We agree with your ideas for the first stage, as well as the second stage of terminal expansion, and our treasury is ready to fully fund both projects.

As for a new line connecting Kinshasa and Ilebo, we would certainly endorse and fund such a project, as well as fund the revitalization of our entire national rail line, which as you have stated is in dire need of repair. Further We would suggest the extension of Kinshasa-Ilebo line to include branches that cross the Congo River at Bumba and Kisangani, as well as the completion of the line from Kalemie across the Congo at Kabale. The Completion of all of these infrastructure projects will greatly increase the capacity and marketability of our internal mining network.

As for commercial real estate in Kinshasa, may we propose the following site as a starting location, split into three lots, which can then be zoned for residences, civilian services such as Spanish schools, and other services, and commercial areas.

Argentina Commercial Development Lot Proposal – Google My Maps

Argentina Commercial Development Lot Proposal

www.google.com

If these three lots are reasonable, we are willing to gift your government a ten year lease on the land, for commercial and residential development. We will also provide partial funding assuming that you agree to hire local workers, as well as take a certain percentage of each school as local students as well.

We also have a further agenda item to put on the table, and that is the restoration of consistent power to the entirety of the grid in Zaire, at least in so far as a grid exists. Currently the grid supplies power to only 23% percent of the country, most of this percentage being the 12-15% that live in the Kinshasa Province around the Capitol. This grid itself is subjected to random and rolling blackouts. With assistance from your technicians, we can repair and rehab the hydroelectric dams on the Congo River, Inga I and Inga II, this would fully provide power for the current grid.

With further aid from your technicians, after rail lines and road revitalization we would further expand the dams to increase their capacity as we add more and more of our population to the power grid. I will inform our Foreign Ministry of the Visa changes and prospective students will be selected and sent to Argentina to study immediately."

Security meeting

"We are of course aware of your previous tensions with the British and their colonial past, however we have found them willing to provide aid to our struggling nation, and we have found them to be forthright in our discussions with them. We are not in the position to turn down aid from them, especially as it comes with clear deployment instructions, and clear communication channels. We are quite confident that we can trust their deployment in our nation. As we have stated their deployment of 600 personnel will be focused around the Goma Area. As such there would be little if any overlap between your two peacekeeping forces.

We shall take your words seriously, and we shall of course be cautious of any threats to our own or Africa's sovereignty.

As for Zimbabwe, we have found our own peacekeeping efforts largely blocked by European influence, and we fear the Global Assembly's intervention will make our own largely irrelevant, as such we have substantially scaled back our planned intervention there, and we would welcome the redeployment of your peacekeepers from Zimbabwe to Zaire, especially before the situation in Harare puts your men in jeopardy. While the Congo isn't the safest of areas in the world, it is ascending towards prosperity, not descending further into chaos

As for the aircraft, this is excellent news, and we will have funds available to to transfer as soon as a quote is given. We would also be interested in acquiring 10,000 Pinzgauer logistics vehicles, produced in batches of 250, we would pay for the rapid serial production of course."

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

"After reviewing the location and specifications of the offered land, I understand that it is appropiate to construct the planned buildings and facilities there. Once the legal papers are in order, we will begin construction. The idea is to employ a good number of local workers, bringing argentine technicians only for skilled tasks that we cannot cover with zairean workers.

Regarding the railroadnetwork projects, we seem to agree on the broader terms, and I think we can being detailing the process. As for the highway expansion, it would indeed be a good back up and support for the railroad. Although more expensive and time consuming, transporting goods by trucks means we can reach more "out of the way" production sites and require less investment to begin production and extraction, since obviously building new railroads take time.

As for the energy situation, Argentina has a long tradition and expertise on nuclear energy. What do you think about the construction of 1 or 2 nuclear power plants, powered by argentine nuclear reactors?"

Security meeting

"Yes, we are monitoring the situation with concern. While we understand the desperation of Zimbabwe's transitional Government, we think that they opened the game too much, and let too many nations in, without a proper organization. Of course, the ultimate goal remains to stabilize the country. Let's see how that goes.

As for the deployment in Zaire. What are the exact ares you need to cover and how many men do you thyink you need? We could also offer training local personnel to complement the argentine deployment."

JJSmithJr

 

[JJSmithJr]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

We estimate the cost of bringing the entire Highway and Road network in Zaire to the status of well paved and maintained to be roughly 20bn. We would likely split this into five or six phases, concentrating first on main links and vital hubs, before expanding out to the rural links. We could indeed use foreign monetary support in such infrastructure endeavors.

Our first priority is the rail line, once you have a detailed plan, we shall present it to the treasury for approval, we believe that this should be the first priority, and be done with the most haste. Starting with the immediate expansion of the Matadi-Kinshasa Line as soon as is feasible, as well as the expansion of the Port of Matadi, to enhance its ability to take on larger cargo at once. Zaire can pledge 6 billion dollars to these two specific projects to be completed in six months time.(OOC 3months). Further we have begun the projects to modernize and rehabilitate Inga I and Inga II and we look forward to the dispatching of your technicians and experts to aid in this process immediately.

We would welcome two stations with a nameplate capacity around 1400MW each. We would suggest that your experts come and survey locations and present plans for the projects themselves. These plants combined with the rehab of Inga I and Inga II will allow us to rapidly expand our electric grid without risking power outages, bringing power to every major city and town in Zaire December of 2021 is the goal of our government, and this will allow us to do this."

Kabila would sign the leasing and legal documents granting the Government of Argentina full zoning and construction rights on the three lots proposed for a period of ten years, with an automatic renewal of the ten year lease assuming continued positive relations.

Security meeting

"We of course believe that the situation is dire and salvageable, and we believe that the Provisional government offers the best path for stability moving forward. We propose a joint effort at the UZACOM meetings, with a clear chain of command of all foreign contingents under Zaire, then this Zairian Command being subservient to The Provisional Government, will allow for an effective plan and effective action to be taken. With your support, and your promise of increased deployments to Zimbabwe, contingent on their agreement to Zairian leadership, we will pledge our full support, offering financial and police backing, and sending professional peacekeepers once our armed forces are fully reorganized.

Together we can restore order in Zimbabwe alongside the Provisional Government, assuring their allegiance in the long run, and making sure the European contingents of UZACOM are subordinate to our forces. Our two governments can stabilize the situation in Zimbabwe with or without the Spanish and Irish, I'm sure you will agree.

As for the Specifics of the deployment, a peacekeeping force of 600-1,000 would be sufficient, we would suggest that they use Bumba Air Force Base in the North as a Forward Operating Base, your peacekeeping force would then be charged with covering the Northern Area of the country and patrolling large sections of the Congo River. Due to the specifics of your deployment we would suggest Jungle ready troops and a contingent of helicopters to support them as well.

We once again would like to request a quote for x128 FMA IA-58A Pucara and 10,000 Pinzgauer Logistic vehicles, produced in batches of 250."

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

"Our technicians are working on the proposal as we speak. We agree with the proposed timeframe and priorities. I was told they will submit all the paperwork as soon as they have it done.

Thank you for the lands, I'm sure they will be the hbu for argentine interests in the region and will contribute to expanding your economy by creating new jobs and reactivate the economy in that urban area. Construction will begin soon and obviously will be reported to the corresponding zairean authorities.

As for the Nuclear Power Plants, I just sent a message to Argentina to have INVAP, the argentina company that develops the nuclear reactors, to quickly prepare and send over a team to survey potential construction sites. I understand they will need to be next to an important waterway to provide hidraulic cooling systems."

Security meeting

"I'm merely a military commander and no expert in geopolitical matters, but I'm sure this will surely be considered very interesting back in Buenos Aires. With Zaire, Zimbabwe and Tanzania on the same line, Africa is bound for great things, and also a very strong geographic player.

Regardless of what happens with the deployment in Harare, we certianly can provide those numbers of peacekeepers. Let me check when we have an open schedule for the Argentine Air Force 767-300ER to create the airbridge.

Finally, regarding the Pinzgauer and Pucaras, both can be done. Obviously the Pinzgauer would take their time, even with expedited production, but we can do it. The Pucaras would cost ardoun 1,280,000,000.00 (around 9.8 million each) and the Pinzgauers 2,068,540,000.00 ($206,854.00 each)."

JJSmithJr

 

[JJSmithJr]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

"Excellent, as soon as these infrastructure proposals are submitted, our finance minister will associate the necessary funds, and we can begin their construction. We believe that once the proposals are submitted and scored for budget, an appropriate fee can quickly be negotiated for your services, and construction can begin urgently.

As for the INVAP engineers, we would be happy to receive them and take them around to see potential sites for nuclear power stations, it is our belief that Lake Mweru and Lake Tanganyika represent two excellent locations for the power stations in question, of course we will differ to your engineers when they are on location.

I have drawn up final proposals for student visas, for the specifications of our own department of education, we would request the following special student visas:

20,000 Student Visas for Zairian Students to attend the University of Buenos Aires
10,000 Student Visas for Zairian Students to attend the National University of Córdoba
1,000 Student Visas for Zairian Students to attend University of Palermo Argentina
400 Student Visas for Zairian Students to attend Austral University Argentina

This is a substantial student load, but due to the vaste size of the Argentine University System we believe that it is not an uncomfortable size. We would pay 10,000 per student to the Government of Argentina, and 10,000 per student for the Host Families, this would be a total of 628,000,000.00 We believe this is more than reasonable.

Security meeting

Our advise given the turn of events at the GA and UZACOM is that we take a backseat in Zimbabwe, maintain a presence and aid the provisional government where possible, however we do not plan on taking a leading role, and indeed with the reestablishment of the Botha Regime in South Africa, and the end of the talks to see elections there, we are of the belief that a large scale bush war is inevitable within Zimbabwe, and my country has little interest in such a state of affairs.

As for your peacekeepers, we would welcome their deployment to Bumba, as soon as they are ready, we are prepared to greet them and put them in the field.

As for the arms purchase, we are prepared to go forward with the Pucara purchase immediately, but will have to wait for budget concerns in other areas to be alleviated to purchase the logistical vehicles. We shall transfer the funding immediately."

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

The engineering team would finally submit 3 big folders full of maps, calculation and specifications detailing the proposed works for the "Zaire Railroad Expansion" project.

We estimate the costs and works required as follows:

Stage I: Modernization and expansion of the Matadi - Kinshasa line.
Modernization of the signaling system accros the line, replacement of old and damaged railroads by new ones to allower faster and more secure travelling. Improvement of communication systems along the line as well as service outpost. Improvement of cargo terminals in Kinshasa and Matadi. Addition of a new set of railroads parallel to the existing one to allow increased capacity. Construction of necesary support infrastructure.
Estimated time: 6 months
Estimated cost: $1,300,000,000.00

Stage II: Construction of Kinshasa - Ilebo connection
Clearing and terrain preparation for the construction of a new set of 2 railroads connecting Kinshasa and Ilebo. Improvement and expansion of the Ilebo cargo station. Construction of signaling and communication system as well as support infrastructure.
Estimated time: 7 months
Estimated cost: $1,650,000,000.00

Stage III: Modernization of Ilebo - Kaminaa - Kabale circuit
Modernization and repair of existing railroad infrastructure connecting the previously mentioned city to allow faster and more secure transport.
Estimated time: 4 months
Estimated cost: $1,400,000,000.00

Stage IV: Modernization of the Kabale - Lajemie/Kongolo - Kindu network , Ubundu - Kisanwani, Bumba - Bondo - Mungbere and Lubumbashi - Kamina
Modernization and repair of existing railroad infrastructure connecting the previously mentioned city to allow faster and more secure transport.
Estimated time: 4 months
Estimated cost: $1,400,000,000.00

Stage V: Construction of missing connections between Kindu - Ubundu and Kisangani - Bumba
Clearing and terrain preparation for the construction of a new set of 2 railroads connecting the mentioned cities. Improvement and expansion of the respective cargo station. Construction of signaling and communication system as well as support infrastructure.
Estimated time: 5 months
Estimated cost: $1,900,000,000.00


"Of course work on the different stages can be done simultaneously, depending on the availability of manpower and resource. Estimated time includes shipping of material, preparation and clearing of terrain and settling of workers."

An INVAP specialist team would have arrived and surveyed the existing facilities and topography in order to present a project for the construction of 2 1400MW nuclear power stations. The estimated cost for both stations would be around $1,500,000,000.00 and demand around 3 months of work. The suggested locations, considering existing infrastructure , access to running water and security would be:

- Outskirts of Mushie on the Kwa river
- Outskirts of Ilebo on the Kansai river

The experts team reccomends construction there due to being in a more central area, and tehrefore not only cheaper to mantain but also far more secure given the sensible technology managed. The projected costs include tending of major electricity lines to cross the country next to the railroads.


"We can approve the indicated number of students visas. However in order to not create an excesisve demand and be able to provide the same quality as always, we woudl request to split the visas into three groups, starting each every 2 years. This would mean that the first set of students would arrive in 1997, the second in 1999 and the thrid in 2001."


* (All times are IC)

Security meeting

"We will soon make a decision regarding our involvement in Zimbabwe. As for the Bumba operation, the transport of 350 armed personnel with training in jungle environment has been approved and will be arriving to Zaire next week. We appreciate your assistance in settling them in and providing basic services.

Regarding the equipment production, the funds have been received and production has started.

You might have heard about the recent Argentine - Russia agreement that resulted in the establishment of RusAr. We would encourage your Government to check tht out, since its a good opportunity to modernize your armed forces."

JJSmithJr

 

[JJSmithJr]

Infrastructure and commercial meeting

"These plans are really quite excellent and indeed quite expansive and complete in their nature. We are indeed very pleased with them. We believe that it is best for us to go forward with the plans in one month increments beginning the first project immediately and starting the second one month after the first begins.

As for the INVAP Plans for Nuclear Power Stations we believe that these plans should also begin immediately as bringing power to our citizens is a top priority of our government and will dramatically increase the quality of life within Zaire.

We are also very happy with the student agreement as you have structured it."

Security meeting

"We look forward to greeting your deployment. As for RusAr this is indeed exciting news and we look forward to conducting business with this company going forward."

Naio90